Three for Three! Reddick’s Red-Hot Start Rewrites NASCAR Record Books
In a remarkable and historic performance Sunday at the DuraMAX Texas Grand Prix Powered by RelaDyne at the Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas, Tyler Reddick continued his dominating run to begin the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series season, becoming the first driver in series history to win the first three races of a season.
Reddick, driving the No. 45 Toyota Camry a car fielded by co-owners Michael Jordan and Denny Hamlin’s 23XI Racing claimed victory in Sunday’s contest after leading a race-high 58 of the scheduled 95 laps en route to an 11th career Cup Series triumph.
Historic Three-Peat Achievement
With this win at Circuit of the Americas, Reddick has now won the opening three races of the 2026 NASCAR season, a feat never before accomplished in the Cup Series’ history. After victories at the season-opening Daytona 500 and last Sunday’s race in Atlanta, Reddick entered the Texas road course with momentum and did not disappoint holding off a hard-charging Shane van Gisbergen for the checkered flag.
“It means the world,” Reddick said following the race. “We executed our strategy perfectly, and the team gave me an incredible car. To make history like this, you dream about it, but you never really expect it.”
Van Gisbergen, a noted road-course ace, finished second, while Christopher Bell crossed the line in third place.
Dominance for 23XI Racing
The victory not only cements Reddick’s place in the record books but also highlights the ascent of 23XI Racing as a powerhouse early in the season. With teammate Bubba Wallace holding strong in the points standings behind Reddick, the organization has quickly become a dominant force in NASCAR.
Basketball legend and 23XI co-owner Michael Jordan was on site to celebrate yet another triumph by his team, adding to the narrative of an extraordinary and historic start. Jordan, a six-time NBA champion, has now experienced championship moments across multiple competitive arenas.
“It’s incredible to see this team perform at such a high level,” Jordan said after Sunday’s race. “Tyler and the entire 23XI crew have worked tremendously hard, and it’s great to see that payoff on the track.”
What’s Next in the 2026 Season
With this victory, Reddick now holds a significant lead in the Cup Series standings, extending his advantage over his competitors as the series heads to its next stop at Phoenix Raceway on March 8.
The 2026 NASCAR Cup season still has many twists and turns ahead, but Reddick’s unprecedented start, three wins in as many races already has fans and analysts talking about one of the most impressive opening stretches in modern NASCAR history.
Source: USAToday
Image Credit: Wikimedia Commons TaurusEmerald
