Tyler Reddick Wins Autotrader 400 With Missing Fender — Did It Help?

Tyler Reddick won the Autotrader 400 at EchoPark Speedway on a recent race weekend, driving his No. 45 Toyota Camry with a missing right front fender. The damage came after a late-race crash with Denny Hamlin. Now analysts are asking: did that missing bodywork actually help him win?

What happened to Tyler Reddick's car?

Late in the race, Reddick collided with Denny Hamlin. The impact tore away the right front fender completely. The team repaired the splitter and front bumper before the restart, but the fender stayed off.

The damage looked bad. But some wondered if it gave Reddick an edge.

Did the missing fender create an aero advantage?

A technical analysis from the TTAC Creators Series suggests the missing fender had both positive and negative effects. The exposed wheel well likely acted like the fender louvers used on GT3 race cars, letting high-pressure air escape.

That probably increased front downforce. More front grip made the car looser — a setup that can be tricky but may have suited Reddick's dirt-track driving background.

What about the downsides?

The missing fender also created extra aerodynamic drag. That should have slowed Reddick on the straights. But because the splitter, hood, and front bumper stayed mostly intact, the drag penalty was likely small.

So the net effect may have been a net gain in cornering speed without a huge straight-line loss.

Did dirty air play a role?

The analyst believes the biggest benefit may have been increased dirty air. Air escaping from the exposed wheel well likely disturbed the airflow behind Reddick's car.

Trailing drivers appeared to struggle staying close. That could have made it harder for them to pass, especially on the final restart.

What does this mean for Tyler Reddick?

Reddick's win at EchoPark Speedway adds another victory to his NASCAR Cup Series resume. The Autotrader 400 result shows he can win even with significant damage.

His team's quick repairs and his own adaptability under pressure were key. The missing fender debate adds an interesting footnote to the race.

What comes next for Reddick?

Reddick and the No. 45 team will look to build on this win. The Cup Series schedule continues with more tracks where his dirt-track style could pay off.

For now, the question of whether a missing fender helped him win will keep fans and analysts talking. But the result stands: Tyler Reddick took the checkered flag first.