AUSTIN, Texas: Tyler Reddick etched his name in the record books on Sunday, becoming the first driver in NASCAR Cup Series history to win the opening three races of a season. His latest triumph came at the Circuit of the Americas (COTA), where he held off a late charge from Shane van Gisbergen to seal the milestone victory.
Driving for 23XI Racing co-owned by basketball icon Michael Jordan and Denny Hamlin Reddick had already captured wins at the Daytona 500 and Atlanta before dominating in Austin. The achievement marks his 11th career Cup victory and his second at COTA, having previously won at the track in 2023.
Decisive Battle in Final Laps
Reddick faced sustained pressure from van Gisbergen over the closing 20 laps, carefully managing the gap to prevent a late overtake. The New Zealander, who had been eyeing a record-equalling run of road course wins, praised Reddick’s composure and pace despite finishing runner-up.
The win capped a significant moment for 23XI Racing, a team that has navigated challenges off the track but now stands at the forefront of the championship conversation. Jordan celebrated trackside with the pit crew, while Hamlin was credited for building the competitive structure behind the team’s rapid rise.
Race Highlights and Key Moments
Connor Zilisch, a rookie with Trackhouse Racing, endured a difficult outing after starting 25th and finishing 14th amid multiple on-track setbacks. Elsewhere, Hendrick Motorsports’ Alex Bowman withdrew due to illness, with Myatt Snider stepping in as substitute. Brad Keselowski completed the race while recovering from injury, finishing 20th.
With momentum firmly on his side, Reddick now heads to Phoenix Raceway for the next round as the Cup Series transitions back to oval racing.