Tyler Reddick delivered a surprising win at the Circuit of the Americas (COTA) NASCAR Cup Series race, defeating specialist Shane van Gisbergen on Sunday in Austin, Texas. The victory, which highlighted Reddick’s dominance early in the season and featured a decisive margin over van Gisbergen, marks the first time a driver has kicked off a NASCAR Cup Series season with three consecutive wins.
Reddick Closes Out the Road Course Expert
Many did not expect Reddick to outpace Shane van Gisbergen—a three-time champion in Australian Supercars known for his skill on road courses. By finishing the race almost four seconds ahead, Reddick not only halted van Gisbergen’s road course winning streak but also further established his own reputation as one of the sport’s rising stars. In addition to this victory, Reddick had already clinched wins at both the Atlanta race and the season-opening Daytona 500, making this past weekend’s result even more historic for himself and the 23XI Racing team.
“I mean, the first two races in the season, you know, we go to Daytona and it’s tough. And Echo Park Speedway is just as crazy,”
Tyler Reddick told SiriusXM NASCAR Radio (1:05 onwards).
“Then to come in here and beat the guy who’s pretty much been the King on the road, you know, for like the last two years in my book, and be able to hold off SVG is just..I had a feeling it was going to come down to that today.”
– Tyler Reddick, NASCAR Cup Series driver
“I just didn’t know if it’d be successful today. So to be able to pull it off in that fashion is really cool,”
he added. – Tyler Reddick, NASCAR Cup Series driver
Van Gisbergen’s Road Course Streak Ends at COTA
For Shane van Gisbergen, COTA remains the only road course on the NASCAR circuit that has eluded him. The Auckland native had previously secured back-to-back wins on road tracks, with his latest triumph coming at the Charlotte Motor Speedway Roval in October 2025. The loss to Reddick at COTA has interrupted his dominance, leaving an opening for Reddick to make his mark on the series early this season.
Physical Toll and Recovery After a Grueling Race
Following the intense race in the Texas heat, Tyler Reddick faced questions about how weather conditions affected the drivers. Unlike fellow competitor AJ Allmendinger of Kaulig Racing, who was taken from the track on a stretcher due to the heat, Reddick said his discomfort was the result of an ongoing health issue, not the temperatures that challenged many in the field.
The 23XI Racing driver revealed,
“Yeah, over the years I’ve occasionally had issues with my sciatic nerve kind of acting up,”
Tyler Reddick said.
“I didn’t really feel it in the car, which was nice today, but as soon as I got out and got moving, it was just really fired up. I don’t think it was heat, no, not for me. I’m just getting old.”
– Tyler Reddick, NASCAR Cup Series driver
Looking Ahead to Phoenix Raceway
Tyler Reddick will attempt to keep his winning streak alive when NASCAR heads west for the Straight Talk Wireless 500 at Phoenix Raceway on Sunday, March 8. The event will span 312 laps and air on FS1 at 3:30 pm ET, with radio broadcasts available through MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio. This upcoming race will give Reddick another chance to extend his lead in the NASCAR Cup Series and continue his momentum following his milestone victory over Shane van Gisbergen.
Reddick’s triumph signals a shift in the NASCAR road course hierarchy and puts added pressure on established names like Shane van Gisbergen as the season progresses. With every win, Reddick expands his influence in the series, while fans and competitors alike watch closely to see if this remarkable start can be maintained in the coming weeks.
🗣️ "That's crazy, right? "
🏆 🏆 🏆 @TylerReddick is now 3 for 3 to start the 2026 season following his win in the #DuraMAXGP. pic.twitter.com/eq63shpp96
— SiriusXM NASCAR Radio (Ch. 90) (@SiriusXMNASCAR) March 2, 2026
