Tyler Reddick Makes NASCAR History with Third Straight Win

Kurt Busch congratulates Reddick and 23XI Racing on the impressive start to the 2026 season.

Published on Mar. 2, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Tyler Reddick became the first driver in NASCAR history to win the first three races of a season, taking the checkered flag at the Circuit of The Americas (COTA) on Sunday. Reddick, who drives for 23XI Racing, previously won the Daytona 500 and the race at Atlanta Motor Speedway. NASCAR veteran Kurt Busch, who was forced into retirement after a concussion in 2022, congratulated Reddick and the 23XI team on the historic accomplishment.

Why it matters

Reddick's hot start to the 2026 season has him firmly in control of the NASCAR Cup Series points standings, opening up a 70-point lead over the rest of the field. His three consecutive wins to begin the year are unprecedented in the sport's history, showcasing his talent and the strength of the 23XI Racing team led by Denny Hamlin and Michael Jordan.

The details

Reddick started from the pole position at COTA and led a race-high 58 laps, beating Shane van Gisbergen to the finish line by over three seconds. Van Gisbergen was looking to tie Jeff Gordon's record of most consecutive wins on a road course, but was no match for Reddick's dominant performance.

  • Reddick won the Daytona 500 on February 16, 2026.
  • Reddick won the race at Atlanta Motor Speedway on February 23, 2026.
  • Reddick won the race at Circuit of The Americas on March 2, 2026.

The players

Tyler Reddick

The 30-year-old driver is in his fourth season in the NASCAR Cup Series and is currently competing for 23XI Racing, the team co-owned by Denny Hamlin and Michael Jordan.

Kurt Busch

The 2004 NASCAR Cup Series champion, who was forced into retirement after suffering a concussion in 2022, congratulated Reddick and the 23XI Racing team on their historic start to the 2026 season.

Denny Hamlin

The co-owner of 23XI Racing, who believed in Reddick's potential and brought him to the team prior to the 2023 season.

Michael Jordan

The co-owner of 23XI Racing, who has helped build the team into a championship contender since its inception in 2021.

Shane van Gisbergen

The Australian driver was looking to tie Jeff Gordon's record of most consecutive wins on a road course, but was no match for Reddick's dominant performance at COTA.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“I couldn't be more proud of you, Tyler, the team, 23XI — oh my God, Denny [Hamlin], you knew he was gonna be the guy. MJ [Michael Jordan], Billy Scott, the whole program — I'm so proud of you guys. That is history. Three wins.”

— Kurt Busch (X)

“Yeah, just trying to remember everything that I knew was going to be important there at the end and just tried to minimize the mistakes. Shane is just, that's what he's so good at. He does not make mistakes. I certainly made a couple and just doing everything I could to just manage the gap and just stay away from him, you know what I mean? If I let him get close enough it was going to be hard to hold him off.”

— Tyler Reddick (FOX)

What’s next

Reddick will look to extend his historic start to the 2026 season when the NASCAR Cup Series heads to Phoenix Raceway next Sunday.

The takeaway

Tyler Reddick's impressive three-race winning streak to begin the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series season has firmly established him as one of the top drivers in the sport, and the strength of the 23XI Racing team co-owned by Denny Hamlin and Michael Jordan has played a key role in his early-season dominance.