Tyler Reddick won the NASCAR Cup Series race at Kansas Speedway on April 19, 2026, passing Kyle Larson on the final lap of overtime to secure his fifth victory of the season.
The win made Reddick the fourth driver in NASCAR history to win five of the first nine races in a Cup Series season, joining Dale Earnhardt (1987), Richard Petty (1975), and Cale Yarborough (1976).
Reddick drives for 23XI Racing, the team co-owned by NBA Hall of Famer Michael Jordan and Denny Hamlin, who watched from pit road as his driver claimed victory.
Jordan, present at the race, celebrated Reddick’s win with a fist pump and praised the driver’s performance, saying, “This kid is on fire. I don’t know what to say. I don’t consider I can cool him down.”
The race turned chaotic after Cody Ware spun on the final lap before the white flag, bringing out a caution that bunched the field for an overtime restart.
Denny Hamlin, who had been leading when Ware crashed, lost the advantage despite beating Reddick off pit road, as Larson surged ahead on the inside line when the green flag flew.
Reddick charged down the backstretch on the final lap, pulled alongside Larson through the turns, and edged him out at the checkered flag to win.
Larson, attempting to end a 32-race winless streak, said his car’s balance was compromised after taking only two tires on the final stop, leaving him unable to hold off Reddick.
Chase Briscoe finished third, Denny Hamlin fourth, and Bubba Wallace fifth — giving 23XI Racing four cars in the top five.
For more on this story, see 23XI Racing Wins: Memorable NASCAR Cup Series Victories.
Reddick credited the late caution for creating the opportunity, saying, “Just really blessed with the late caution. Was that nuts or what? I couldn’t believe it.”
Hamlin expressed frustration over the outcome, blaming Ware’s spin for costing him a potential record-extending fifth win at Kansas Speedway.
“Obviously it’s not winning. It’s Cody Ware, six laps down, wrecking. I don’t know. Add it up,” Hamlin said when asked about his frustration level.
Reddick’s hot streak has positioned him as the early-season favorite, with consistent front-running performances even in races he doesn’t win.
How Reddick’s win affects 23XI Racing’s title chances
With five wins in nine races, Reddick leads the Cup Series standings by a significant margin, giving 23XI Racing its strongest start to a season in team history.
The team’s depth — four cars in the top five at Kansas — demonstrates improved consistency across its roster, which could sustain championship contention through the summer.
This follows our earlier report, Ty Gibbs Wins Food City 500 at Bristol Motor Speedway: Full Results.
Jordan’s presence and investment have correlated with elevated performance, though the team still faces challenges maintaining reliability over a full 36-race schedule.
What Larson’s loss means for his winless streak
Larson’s defeat extended his winless streak to 33 races, dating back to last season’s playoffs, despite having led multiple races and finished on the podium three times this year.
<pHis team has cited inconsistent handling after pit stops as a recurring issue, particularly when opting for two-tire stops under caution.
While Larson remains a top contender each week, converting strong runs into wins has proven elusive, raising questions about late-race strategy and vehicle setup.
Why did the caution come out?
The caution was triggered when Cody Ware spun his car as the white flag was about to fly, forcing all leaders to pit and setting up the overtime finish.
Has any other driver won five of the first nine races recently?
No — the last driver to achieve this feat was Dale Earnhardt in 1987, making Reddick’s accomplishment a 39-year rarity in NASCAR history.
