Tyler Reddick secured the NASCAR COTA pole on Saturday at Circuit of The Americas, amplifying his dominant early season run with 23XI Racing. In a display of raw pace and confidence, Reddick is set to lead the field at Sunday’s The DuraMax Texas Grand Prix Powered by RelaDyne, aiming for his second career victory at the Austin road course.
Reddick’s Momentum Surges as Pole Streak Continues
The Californian has been the talk of the NASCAR Cup Series after capturing victories at the Daytona 500 and Atlanta to open the 2026 campaign. On Saturday, Reddick’s qualifying lap of 97.760 seconds on the 2.3-mile course earned him his third career pole at COTA and twelfth overall, reinforcing his reputation as a formidable contender on road circuits. Entering Sunday’s race, he rides a wave of confidence, hoping to revisit the top step where he triumphed in 2023.
Reddick, driving the No. 45 Toyota Camry for 23XI Racing, lined up ahead of Ross Chastain, who claimed the outside pole position for Trackhouse Racing. Chase Briscoe, piloting the No. 19 for Joe Gibbs Racing, locked down third, followed by Ryan Blaney of Team Penske and Chase Elliott in fifth for Hendrick Motorsports.
After seizing the pole, Reddick commented on the self-imposed pressure and his thrill for COTA’s fast corners, saying,
“I maybe shouldn’t have called my shot earlier. Some pressure comes with that. I love going fast and road courses are a lot of fun in qualifying. Just proud of everyone’s effort here at 23XI. Our Chumba Casino Toyota Camry was fast in Daytona, and it seems fast here to start this one off,”
— Tyler Reddick, NASCAR Cup Series driver.
Qualifying Rundown and Notable Starters
The starting grid for Sunday’s feature includes several top contenders eager to challenge Reddick’s momentum. Michael McDowell will launch from sixth for Spire Motorsports, with A.J. Allmendinger of Kaulig Racing qualifying seventh. Christopher Bell, last season’s defending winner at COTA for Joe Gibbs Racing, will start in eighth, followed by Ty Gibbs in ninth and William Byron completing the top ten for Hendrick Motorsports.
This race marks the sixth occasion the NASCAR Cup Series has competed at the iconic Austin track, and several familiar names will be fighting for critical points and glory, including established front-runners and last year’s victor, Christopher Bell.
SVG Takes Aim at Sixth Straight Road Course Triumph
Shane van Gisbergen, also known as SVG, is seeking to make NASCAR Cup Series history by pursuing his sixth consecutive road course win, equaling the previous mark set by Jeff Gordon. However, SVG faces the challenge of advancing from 13th on the grid in Sunday’s 95-lap contest held in Austin, Texas. Despite starting outside the top ten, SVG brings a reputation as a road course expert and could pose a late-race threat to the frontrunners, Reddick included.
Recognizing the challenge, Reddick highlighted SVG’s formidable skill on such layouts, stating,
“I don’t know where Shane’s starting, but I just got to try to get as much of a head start on him as I can and try and stay ahead of him all day,”
— Tyler Reddick, NASCAR Cup Series driver.
What’s Next at the DuraMax Texas Grand Prix
The DuraMax Texas Grand Prix Powered by RelaDyne gets underway on Sunday at 3:30 p.m. Eastern time, broadcast on FOX with radio coverage available via the Performance Racing Network. As anticipation swells, focus will be on whether Tyler Reddick can parlay his NASCAR COTA pole position into another landmark win, if Shane van Gisbergen can cement his place in Cup Series history, and how key figures like Christopher Bell, Ross Chastain, and Chase Elliott shape the final result. With Tyler Reddick’s current surge and a fiercely competitive field, the race promises intensity and high stakes on one of the sport’s most challenging road courses.
.@TylerReddick called his shot. 👏 pic.twitter.com/IBMwYkdz5D
— NASCAR (@NASCAR) February 28, 2026
