SUMMARY
- Tyler Reddick secured three straight NASCAR Cup Series wins to open 2026
- 23XI Racing becomes first team to sweep season’s first three races
- Victory reinforces Reddick’s status as a leading contender on road courses
AUSTIN, Texas — Tyler Reddick completed a historic start to the NASCAR Cup Series season Sunday, winning the DuraMax Texas Grand Prix at Circuit of The Americas to become the first driver in the sport’s 77 year history to open a season with three consecutive victories.
Reddick led the most laps and finished nearly four seconds ahead of road course specialist Shane van Gisbergen after pulling away in the closing circuits.
The milestone adds to momentum for 23XI Racing, co-owned by Michael Jordan. Jordan attended all three victories, echoing his championship three peat with the Chicago Bulls from 1991-93. “It’s time for a change, and the guys feel the same way,” Jordan said.
Reddick briefly lost the lead to Chase Briscoe on the opening lap but reclaimed control on a stage two restart ahead of Ryan Blaney.
He later called the win “fitting” after previously expressing frustration at finishing behind van Gisbergen on road courses.
Christopher Bell, Ty Gibbs and Michael McDowell completed the top five. “Tyler was just amazing,” van Gisbergen said. “His car was really good.”
NASCAR historian Mike Harris said the feat “reshapes early championship momentum,” noting no team had previously combined three wins with the most laps led in each event.
The NASCAR Cup Series now shifts to an oval track, where parity traditionally tightens competition.
Team officials said maintaining consistency across track types will determine whether Reddick’s historic opening translates into a sustained championship campaign.
Reddick also became the first multi time Cup winner at COTA, underscoring his growing influence on the evolving road course calendar.
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