Tyler Reddick Aims for Historic Fourth Straight Win at Phoenix NASCAR Cup Series Race
AVONDALE, Ariz. — The NASCAR Cup Series heads to Phoenix Raceway on Sunday, March 8, 2026, for the Straight Talk Wireless 500, marking the first true oval test of the season. While early points standings show strength from drivers like Shane van Gisbergen (5th), AJ Allmendinger (8th), and Michael McDowell (9th), all eyes are on Tyler Reddick, who is seeking to make NASCAR history with his fourth consecutive win to start the year.
Reddick’s Dominant Start to the 2026 Season
Tyler Reddick has emerged as the most dominant force in the NASCAR Cup Series in 2026, winning the first three races of the season. He became the first driver in NASCAR history to win their opening three events . Despite his impressive streak, Reddick downplays any notion of being a “superhero” .
Phoenix Raceway: A Challenging Track for Reddick
Despite his recent success, Phoenix Raceway has historically been a difficult track for Reddick. In 12 races at the one-mile oval, he has yet to capture a checkered flag, with only two top-five finishes and an average finish of 17.8—the tied-third worst mark among his oval tracks .
Starting Lineup and Key Details
Joey Logano of Team Penske Ford will start on the pole after qualifying with a 26.561-second time (135.537 mph) . Kyle Larson, the defending series titleholder, will start alongside him in second place. Tyler Reddick will start 8th.
Top 10 Starting Positions:
- Joey Logano, No. 22 Team Penske Ford
- Kyle Larson, No. 5 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet
- Austin Cindric, No. 2 Team Penske Ford
- Daniel Suarez, No. 7 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet
- Ryan Blaney, No. 12 Team Penske Ford
- Ross Chastain, No. 1 Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet
- Carson Hocevar, No. 77 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet
- Tyler Reddick, No. 45 23XI Racing Toyota
- William Byron, No. 24 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet
- Josh Berry, No. 21 Wood Brothers Racing Ford
Broadcast and Radio Information
The Straight Talk Wireless 500 will be broadcast nationally on FS1. The race can also be heard on the Motor Racing Network (MRN) and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio (channel 90) . Streaming options include Fubo, the FOX One app, and HBO MAX for in-car cameras (subscription required) .
Recent Phoenix Winners
- 2025 fall: Ryan Blaney
- 2025 spring: Christopher Bell
- 2024 fall: Joey Logano
- 2024 spring: Christopher Bell
Bubba Wallace and 23XI Racing
Tyler Reddick’s success has brought attention to his 23XI Racing team, but teammate Bubba Wallace has expressed feeling left out as Reddick achieves historic milestones . Team co-owner Michael Jordan has been seen celebrating Reddick’s wins .
Alex Bowman will miss the race at Phoenix due to vertigo, with Anthony Alfredo substituting and starting 31st .