Tyler Reddick wins third straight NASCAR race to start 2026 season

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

Mar. 2, 2026 at 8:39pm

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Tyler Reddick won the NASCAR Cup Series race at Circuit of the Americas (COTA) in Austin, Texas, becoming the first driver to win the first three races of a season. Reddick held off a late charge from road course specialist Shane van Gisbergen to claim the victory and continue his hot start to the 2026 season.

Why it matters

Reddick's historic start to the season has put him in elite company, as no driver has ever won the first three races to begin a NASCAR Cup Series campaign. This early dominance could set Reddick up for a potential championship run, while also generating excitement and interest around the sport.

The details

The 96-lap race at the COTA road course featured several lead changes and position swaps throughout. Reddick, who had won the first two races of the season at Daytona and Atlanta, was in the lead late when the final caution came out. Road course ace Shane van Gisbergen, who had won the last five road course races in the Cup Series, tried to chase down Reddick on the restart, but Reddick was able to hold him off and claim the victory.

  • Tyler Reddick won the Daytona 500 two weeks ago.
  • Reddick then won the Autotrader 400 in Atlanta a week ago.
  • This victory at COTA marks Reddick's third straight win to start the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series season.

The players

Tyler Reddick

A 30-year-old NASCAR Cup Series driver who is off to a historic start in 2026, becoming the first driver to win the first three races of a season.

Shane van Gisbergen

A road course specialist in the NASCAR Cup Series who had won the last five road course races prior to this event at COTA.

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What they’re saying

“This is just an unbelievable start to the season. To win the first three races, it's something I never could have imagined. The team has given me an incredible car every week and I'm just trying to make the most of it.”

— Tyler Reddick, NASCAR Cup Series Driver

“We gave it our best shot, but Reddick was just too strong today. That's three in a row for him now - he's on an absolute tear to start the year. We'll go back, regroup, and try to end his streak next week.”

— Shane van Gisbergen, NASCAR Cup Series Driver

What’s next

Reddick will look to make it four straight wins to open the 2026 season next week at the race in Las Vegas.

The takeaway

Tyler Reddick's historic start to the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series season has put the rest of the field on notice. His ability to win on both ovals and road courses has him firmly in the championship conversation early on, and he'll look to continue his dominance in the weeks to come.