AUSTIN, Texas – Tyler Reddick made NASCAR history Sunday at the Circuit of the Americas, becoming the first Cup Series driver to win the first three races of a season. Reddick, driving a Toyota co-owned by Michael Jordan, held off a hard-charging Shane van Gisbergen to secure the victory in the DuraMax Texas Grand Prix, extending a streak that has captivated the sport and establishing him as the early championship favorite. The win marks a significant moment for 23XI Racing, a team that has overcome legal challenges to become a dominant force on the track.
The victory wasn’t simply about Reddick’s performance; it was about denying history for another driver. Van Gisbergen entered the race with a formidable record on road courses, having won five of six such events in 2025. A win at COTA would have tied him with Jeff Gordon for the longest consecutive road course win streak in NASCAR history. But Reddick, starting from the pole position, proved too strong, finishing approximately four seconds ahead of the determined New Zealander.
The DuraMax Texas Grand Prix presented a compelling narrative: Reddick’s burgeoning dominance versus van Gisbergen’s established road course prowess. Reddick’s wins at the Daytona 500 and Atlanta Motor Speedway earlier this season had already turned heads, but a third consecutive victory – particularly on a challenging road course – solidifies his position as a top contender. The win also gives Reddick a commanding 70-point lead in the drivers’ championship standings, according to race results.
A Team Built on Resilience
The success of 23XI Racing is particularly noteworthy given the team’s recent legal battles. The team challenged NASCAR’s previous ownership structure, ultimately leading to a settlement in December that secured a franchise-style model and ensured its long-term viability. Michael Jordan, the team’s co-owner, was present at the Circuit of the Americas, exchanging high-fives with Reddick’s pit crew after the win. “It’s one race, but it was so essential,” Reddick said, according to reports. “It’s so fitting to get three in a row and make history.”
Jordan credited Denny Hamlin, his co-owner and fellow driver for Joe Gibbs Racing, with building the team’s success. “I just put up the money,” Jordan said. “Denny’s done an incredible job building this team.” The partnership between Jordan and Hamlin appears to be paying dividends, as 23XI Racing is the first team to win the first three races of a year since Petty Enterprises accomplished the feat in 1963.
Race Results and Key Performances
Behind Reddick and van Gisbergen, Christopher Bell finished third, followed by Ty Gibbs in fourth and Michael McDowell in fifth. Kyle Larson, Chase Elliott, Ryan Blaney, AJ Allmendinger, and Denny Hamlin rounded out the top ten. The full finishing order is as follows:
- Tyler Reddick, No. 45
- Shane van Gisbergen, No. 97
- Christopher Bell, No. 20
- Ty Gibbs, No. 54
- Michael McDowell, No. 71
- Kyle Larson, No. 5
- Chase Elliott, No. 9
- Ryan Blaney, No. 12
- AJ Allmendinger, No. 16
- Denny Hamlin, No. 11
- Bubba Wallace, No. 23
- Kyle Busch, No. 8
- William Byron, No. 24
- Connor Zilisch, No. 88
- Joey Logano, No. 22
- Ty Dillon, No. 10
- John Hunter Nemechek, No. 42
- Ryan Preece, No. 60
- Austin Dillon, No. 3
- Brad Keselowski, No. 6
- Todd Gilliland, No. 34
- Noah Gragson, No. 4
- Riley Herbst, No. 35
- Chris Buescher, No. 17
- Daniel Suarez, No. 7
- Josh Berry, No. 21
- Jesse Love, No. 33
- Ricky Stenhouse Jr., No. 47
- Cole Custer, No. 41
- Cody Ware, No. 51
- Carson Hocevar, No. 77
- Austin Cindric, No. 2
- Zane Smith, No. 38
- Erik Jones, No. 43
- Ross Chastain, No. 1
- Alex Bowman, No. 48
- Chase Briscoe, No. 19
Looking Ahead
Tyler Reddick will carry his momentum to Phoenix Raceway next week, where he will attempt to extend his historic winning streak. Jordan has already indicated he plans to attend the race, hoping to witness another chapter in Reddick’s remarkable season. The NASCAR Cup Series season is still young, but Reddick’s early dominance has undoubtedly established him as the driver to watch.
What do you think of Reddick’s historic start to the season? Share your thoughts in the comments below, and be sure to share this article with fellow NASCAR fans.
