Tyler Reddick earned the pole position for the DuraMax Texas Grand Prix at Circuit of the Americas (COTA) on Saturday, putting him in a prime position to make NASCAR history. After a blistering qualifying run and top speeds, Reddick is set to chase a milestone, as a victory on Sunday would make him the first driver to open a NASCAR season with three straight race wins—a narrative that headlines the current NASCAR storylines.
Reddick Sets Pace in Qualifying at COTA
Reddick clocked a qualifying lap at 88.380 mph, narrowly edging out Ross Chastain, who registered 88.256 mph. Close behind were Chase Briscoe at 88.242 mph, Ryan Blaney at 88.179 mph, and Chase Elliott at 88.161 mph. This front-of-the-grid start after Saturday’s session positions Reddick as the early favorite, with the focus keyword, Tyler Reddick NASCAR history, now at the heart of the race conversation.
Seeking an Unprecedented Start to the Season
If Reddick prevails at COTA, he will be the first driver in NASCAR to claim victory in the opening three races of a season. His campaign began with a dramatic win at the Daytona 500, where he secured the checkered flag with a high-intensity, last-lap pass. The momentum continued into Atlanta Motor Speedway, where Reddick clinched another victory after enduring double overtime. Now, he stands on the verge of securing his place in the record books, but recognizes the unpredictability ahead:
“We’ll see how it gets going,”
Tyler Reddick, driver.
“There were a number of drivers who were strong in practice today, and we’ll try to understand what that looks like and make our best decision on the car overnight and into the race.”
Tyler Reddick, driver
Fine-tuning and Strategy Heading Into Race Day
During the earlier practice sessions, Reddick played it cautiously, focusing on understanding his vehicle’s behavior rather than outright speed. When the time to qualify arrived, he applied maximum effort and achieved his pole position.
“We’re sitting there getting ready to go in qualifying, and I hadn’t pushed this thing once this hard on fresh tires,”
Tyler Reddick, driver
“I had to find the marks, and somehow, I did without doing it in practice.”
Tyler Reddick, driver
Another vital advantage for Reddick and his team is the ability to select the first pit stall, often a decisive factor in high-intensity races, especially if unexpected situations arise on the track.
Competition and COTA’s Changing Track Layout
Reddick is no stranger to winning at COTA; he captured the 2023 event when the course ran its full 3.41-mile length. Recent years saw a reduction to 2.4 miles, and last season Christopher Bell won on the shorter configuration. This year, Bell will be starting from the eighth spot.
The field includes notable competitors: Shane van Gisbergen, famous for recording five consecutive road course wins in 2025, is aiming for a breakthrough at COTA where victory has eluded him. Starting from the thirteenth position, van Gisbergen remains the oddsmakers’ choice due to his sustained road racing performance. Previous COTA winners Ross Chastain, Chase Elliott, and William Byron are also in contention—Chastain aims to repeat his memorable finish-line celebration from 2022. Byron lines up in tenth, and Chastain will be among the top starters aiming for a consistent run.
“We executed today, and it all starts today,”
Ross Chastain, driver
“Making the tires last has been my downfall over the last couple of years at road courses, so that’s high on my priority list. There’s going fast for a minute and a half, and then there’s going fast for 30 minutes. That’s tough to do.”
Ross Chastain, driver
Looking Ahead to Race Day
The DuraMax Texas Grand Prix takes place on Sunday, with the green flag scheduled for 2:30 p.m., and live coverage provided by FOX. With Reddick aiming for an unprecedented third straight season-opening win, and fierce competition from the likes of Ross Chastain, Christopher Bell, William Byron, Ryan Blaney, Shane van Gisbergen, Chase Elliott, and Chase Briscoe, anticipation is running high.
If Reddick can convert his pole position into a win, he will set a remarkable benchmark in NASCAR history. All eyes are on Circuit of the Americas as the sport awaits to see whether history will be rewritten or if established rivals will rise to the occasion and claim victory.
