Tyler Reddick Makes NASCAR History with Third Consecutive Win at COTA

AUSTIN, Texas — Tyler Reddick has etched his name into the NASCAR record books, becoming the first driver in the sport’s 78-year history to win the first three races of a season. Reddick’s victory at the Circuit of the Americas (COTA) road course on Sunday continued a dominant start to the 2026 season for the 23XI Racing driver, following wins at the Daytona 500 and Atlanta.

Reddick Holds Off Van Gisbergen

Reddick secured the pole position at COTA and led a race-high 58 laps, ultimately holding off a strong challenge from Shane van Gisbergen, who had previously won five consecutive NASCAR road course races. Van Gisbergen finished second, just over four seconds behind Reddick, falling short of tying Jeff Gordon’s record of six consecutive road course victories.

“It’s time for change. It’s time for change,” Michael Jordan, co-owner of 23XI Racing, told FOX Sports, acknowledging Reddick’s historic achievement. “Tyler came in with the most pressure with the chance to win three in a row — that’s the hardest one to win. And he kept to his strategy. And, man, the guys put together a great car and I think Billy (Scott, crew chief) did an unbelievable job in calling the race.”

Key Takeaways from the COTA Race

• SVG’s Near Miss: Shane van Gisbergen’s attempt to tie Jeff Gordon’s record for consecutive road course wins was thwarted by Reddick’s dominant performance. Despite finishing second, van Gisbergen gained valuable points, moving up to fifth in the overall standings.
• Zilisch’s Troubles: Rookie Connor Zilisch continued to demonstrate speed at COTA but faced challenges in Turn 1, spinning out twice. Despite the setbacks, he rallied to finish 14th, showcasing his potential.
• Track Limits and Tire Bundles: NASCAR consulted with drivers to improve track limit enforcement at COTA, utilizing tire bundles to deter drivers from cutting corners. The tire bundles were well-received by drivers as a means of self-policing.
• Strong Attendance: The race at COTA drew the largest NASCAR crowd in six years, with attendees from 47 states and 10 countries, highlighting the event’s growing popularity.
• Bowman’s Relief Driver: An ill Alex Bowman was relieved by Myatt Snider with 25 laps remaining, underscoring the importance of maximizing points in the new Chase playoff format.

COTA as a Destination Race

The race at COTA continues to be a successful “destination race” for NASCAR, attracting a diverse audience and benefiting from the track’s international reputation. COTA’s unique arrangement as a track rental, rather than being owned by NASCAR or Speedway Motorsports, has proven to be a viable model for expanding the sport’s reach.

The 2026 NASCAR Cup Series season is shaping up to be one for the record books, with Tyler Reddick and 23XI Racing leading the charge.