Tyler Reddick crashes out at Sonoma as Denny Hamlin takes points lead

Tyler Reddick’s championship hopes took a major hit at Sonoma Raceway on June 30, 2026, as a power-steering failure relegated him to a 36th-place finish. The 2026 NASCAR Cup Series points leader before the race now trails Denny Hamlin by 19 points after a disastrous month that saw three finishes outside the top 25.

What went wrong for Reddick at Sonoma?

Reddick’s No. 45 Chevrolet was plagued by power-steering issues after Stage 1, forcing his crew to scramble while he sat idle. By the time repairs were complete, the field had lapped him six times. The mechanical woes capped a June to forget for Reddick, who also finished 35th at Coronado and 25th at Pocono.

How did Hamlin capitalize?

While Reddick struggled, Denny Hamlin quietly gained ground. Though Hamlin finished 26th at Sonoma, his consistency-including four wins in five races earlier in June-allowed him to overtake Reddick in the standings. Hamlin now leads the championship by 19 points, with Reddick’s once-commanding advantage erased.

What’s next for Reddick?

The next road-course race isn’t until March 2027 in Austin, giving Reddick time to regroup. His early-season dominance (five wins in 14 races) shows his potential, but June’s collapse proves NASCAR’s unpredictability. With Chicagoland Speedway on the horizon, Reddick must rebound quickly to keep his title hopes alive.