Tyler Reddick Recreates Iconic Michael Jordan Moment After COTA Win

Reddick becomes first driver in NASCAR Cup Series history to win the opening three races of a season.

Published on Mar. 2, 2026

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Tyler Reddick held off Shane van Gisbergen over the final 20 laps to win the DuraMAX Texas Grand Prix at Circuit of The Americas, becoming the first driver in NASCAR Cup Series history to win the opening three races of a season. After the win, Reddick celebrated by raising three fingers in a nod to his team's co-owner, Michael Jordan, and his iconic three-peat championships with the Chicago Bulls.

Why it matters

Reddick's victory and historic start to the season have propelled 23XI Racing, co-owned by Jordan and Denny Hamlin, to the forefront of NASCAR. The team's success is a testament to the strong foundation they have built and the leadership of Hamlin, whom Jordan credits as the "mastermind" behind the operation.

The details

Reddick held off a late charge from Shane van Gisbergen, who was seeking his sixth consecutive road course win, to take the checkered flag. After climbing out of his No. 45 Toyota, Reddick celebrated the win with an unmistakable gesture, raising three fingers in a nod to Jordan and his three-peat championships with the Chicago Bulls.

  • Tyler Reddick won the DuraMAX Texas Grand Prix at Circuit of The Americas on March 2, 2026.

The players

Tyler Reddick

A NASCAR Cup Series driver who won the DuraMAX Texas Grand Prix at Circuit of The Americas, becoming the first driver in series history to win the opening three races of a season.

Michael Jordan

Co-owner of 23XI Racing, the team that Reddick drives for. Jordan is a legendary NBA player who won three consecutive championships with the Chicago Bulls in the 1990s.

Denny Hamlin

Co-owner of 23XI Racing and the "mastermind" behind the team's operations, according to Michael Jordan.

Shane van Gisbergen

A NASCAR driver who finished second to Reddick in the DuraMAX Texas Grand Prix, narrowly missing out on his sixth consecutive road course win.

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What they’re saying

“It's one race, but it was so important. It's so fitting to get three in a row and make history.”

— Tyler Reddick

“I'm proud of the team we put together. I just put up the money. Denny's done an incredible job building this team.”

— Michael Jordan, Co-owner, 23XI Racing

What’s next

Reddick will look to continue his historic start to the season as the NASCAR Cup Series heads to the next race on the schedule.

The takeaway

Tyler Reddick's victory at COTA and his historic start to the 2026 NASCAR season have propelled 23XI Racing, co-owned by Michael Jordan and Denny Hamlin, to the forefront of the sport. Reddick's celebration, paying homage to Jordan's iconic three-peat championships, underscores the team's strong foundation and the leadership of Hamlin, whom Jordan credits as the "mastermind" behind the operation.