Tyler Reddick wins COTA pole with a record-breaking lap in NASCAR Cup Series qualifying at Circuit of The Americas, giving him the top starting spot for this weekend’s race in Austin, Texas. Reddick’s achievement marks his third career pole at this track and continues his impressive momentum this season.
Reddick’s Streak Intensifies with Pole Number Three at COTA
Saturday’s strong qualifying performance saw Reddick post the fastest time, securing his second straight pole this year. With this result, he stands alone as the driver with the most pole positions—three in total—at the Circuit of The Americas since NASCAR’s debut at the venue. His speed also reflects consistent success, as Reddick continues to lead the Cup Series in top-five and top-ten finishes, as well as in average running position and overall race finishes at COTA.
New Track Limit Rules Introduced a Challenge
The sixth NASCAR visit to COTA featured a notable challenge for drivers. Officials introduced large white tire packs at several apexes of the winding road course, especially in the “esses” section, to enforce stricter track limits. This adjustment forced competitors to adjust their lines and remain within defined bounds. Despite the added difficulty, Reddick managed a blistering lap time of 1:37.760, smashing the previous qualifying record of 1:38.000. Three other drivers also beat the old record, raising the competitive standard for qualifying at this Texas track.
Front Row and Key Qualifiers for the DuraMax Grand Prix
Ross Chastain clocked a 1:37.879 to join Reddick on the front row, followed closely by Chase Briscoe and Ryan Blaney—Blaney having posted the fastest ten-lap average in practice. Chase Elliott rounded out the top five qualifiers, while Michael McDowell, who led the sole practice session, secured sixth position after topping his qualifying group with a time of 1:39.02. The Trackhouse team’s road course specialists, Shane van Gisbergen and Connor Zilisch, surprised many by lining up 20th and 24th after struggling to find single-lap speed.
Qualifying Groups and Complete Field
NASCAR maintained its customary road course approach by splitting the field into two groups for qualifying, granting each group twenty minutes to set their best lap before combining the results for the final starting grid. A total of 37 entrants earned starting spots, including defending O’Reilly Series champion Jesse Love, who joins the field as the only open entrant this weekend, piloting the RCR No. 33 car in his series debut.
Setting the Stage for Sunday’s Race
Reddick’s pole not only cements his status as the track’s qualifying ace but also puts him in a commanding position to extend his success during the DuraMax Grand Prix powered by Reladyne at Circuit of The Americas. With fierce competition from established stars like Chastain, Briscoe, Blaney, and Elliott, and new challenges from NASCAR’s evolving rules, fans can expect a tightly contested battle on Sunday. The introduction of stricter track limits is likely to keep drivers on their toes, shaping the strategies and outcomes for this race—and setting a new precedent as the Cup Series continues its Texas road course tradition.
