Tyler Reddick makes history

Tyler Reddick Makes NASCAR History with Third Straight Win to open the 2026 Season

Tyler Reddick etched his name into the record books Sunday at Circuit of The Americas, becoming the first driver in NASCAR Cup Series history to win the first three races of a season. This start comes after a winless 2025 campaign, making Reddick’s early-season surge one of the most remarkable turnarounds in recent NASCAR history.

Reddick drives the No. 45 Toyota for 23XI Racing. The team is co-owned by basketball legend Michael Jordan and veteran driver Denny Hamlin. Reddick held off repeated challenges from road-course ace Shane van Gisbergen and former Cup Champion, Ryan Blaney, to secure the victory at COTA.

Coming off wins in the season-opening Daytona 500 and last weekend’s race at Atlanta, Reddick’s triumph in Austin marks an unprecedented start to a NASCAR season. He led a race-high 58 laps.

“This means the world,” Reddick said after the checkered flag, reflecting on his historic streak. “It’s so fitting... to get three in a row and make history with this team.”

Jordan, who was on pit road celebrating the win, praised the team’s effort and credited co-owner Hamlin with much of the strategic success behind 23XI Racing’s dominant start. “I just put up the money,” Jordan joked.

Reddick’s victory also extended his advantage atop the Cup Series standings, where he now leads by a substantial margin as the circuit prepares to head to Phoenix Raceway next.