Tyler Reddick beats Van Gisbergen to earn historic...

Tyler Reddick merely can’t be stopped. Even Shane van Gisbergen at a street course wasn’t fairly sufficient to disclaim him, as Reddick earned his third consecutive win to open the 2026 NASCAR Cup season.

Reddick is the primary driver in all the historical past of NASCAR to win the primary three races of a brand new season — Daytona, Atlanta, and now COTA. 23XI Racing, co-owned by Michael Jordan and Denny Hamlin, can be the primary crew to win the primary three races of the 12 months since Petty Enterprises did it approach again in 1963.

He additional cements himself atop the championship standings with Sunday’s win, crossing the end line about 4 seconds away from van Gisbergen.

“It means the world,” stated Reddick. “It is so becoming. We bought going on the finish of the race, I am main and there is SVG – the man I have been making an attempt to beat for some time now. To have the ability to outlast him there and maintain on for the win is simply unimaginable. Simply actually happy with everybody on 23XI. We labored actually arduous, and we didn’t like getting beat like that at street programs. It is one race, but it surely’s so essential, so becoming to have the ability to get three in-a-row and make historical past.”

Behind Reddick and SVG, Christopher Bell completed third, Ty Gibbs fourth, and Michael McDowell fifth. Kyle Larson, Chase Elliott, Ryan Blaney, AJ Allmendinger, and Denny Hamlin stuffed out the rest of the highest ten. 

Stage 1

Briscoe took Reddick and Chastain three-wide into Flip 1 on the very begin, taking the lead early. The sector stored it clear with no incidents as Blaney, who confirmed nice long-run velocity in apply, ran Briscoe down. He took the lead and set sail, pulling out to a number of seconds over the sector.

After beginning thirteenth, van Gisbergen reduce via the sector, surging from thirteenth to 3rd. As the top of the stage drew close to, a number of drivers opted to short-pit, sacrificing stage factors for observe place. Blaney was amongst them, handing the Stage 1 win to Chastain.

Chastain was adopted by teammate van Gisbergen, after which McDowell, Buescher, Allmendinger, Gibbs, Bowman, Elliott, Hocevar, and Hamlin.

Stage 2

Blaney regained the lead as the remainder of the sector pitted, with van Gisbergen main them off pit street. Chastain misplaced 5 positions after a short stall.

Van Gisbergen restarted again in fifteenth, however he had barely more energizing tires than the automobiles now forward of him.

On the restart, Zilisch went spinning via Flip 1 after a bump from behind by Suarez. Quickly after, Gragson went for a spin between Flip 6a and Flip 6b. 

Out entrance, Reddick took management of the race for the primary time since ranging from pole.  He led till pitting with three laps to go within the stage, flipping it so as to place himself for the race win. 

Josh Berry additionally went for a spin mid-pack, however he continued on with out the necessity for a full-course warning.

Throughout pit stops, Bowman was issued a pass-through penalty for an uncontrolled tire. Austin Dillon additionally spent an prolonged time on pit street on account of a damaged shifter.

As the remainder of the leaders dove to pit street, it cleared the best way for Gibbs to win the stage. He was adopted by Allmendinger, Suarez, Gilliland, Reddick, Wallace, Blaney, Custer, Byron, van Gisbergen.

Stage 3

Reddick held the lead over Blaney, whereas van Gisbergen slotted into fifth on the restart. At the back of the sector, Erik Jones went for a spin, however was capable of et again rolling.

On the backend of the highest ten, Larson and Bell have been making heavy contact in a heated back-and-forth battle for place.

Briscoe abruptly slowed with 32 laps to go, as one thing broke within the rear-end. He had a high 5 run going. He turned the primary automobile to go to the storage throughout Sunday’s race.

Reddick pitted from the lead with 26 laps to go, adopted by Blaney. Van Gisbergen adopted them one lap later.

Abruptly, the whole lot modified as Chastain spun off observe on account of a free wheel that turned disconnected. NASCAR threw a warning, and the Stage 1 winner was held for 2 laps. There may also be further penalties subsequent week.

In the course of the first pure warning of the race, a handful of automobiles pitted, however Reddick, Blaney, van Gisbergen, and Zilisch led one other group of drivers who stayed out on older tires.

Additionally, Bowman climbed out of the automobile as he was feeling unwell, and Myatt Snider completed the race for him within the #48 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet.

On the restart, van Gisbergen handed Blaney for second whereas his teammate Zilisch bought spun in Flip 1 for the second time in the identical race. Zane Smith was additionally concerned, upending his day.

Again within the pack, Busch bought into teammate Jesse Love, which ended up sending Buescher spinning on the exit of the ultimate nook.

With contemporary tires, Bell muscled his approach as much as third, but it surely was van Gisbergen vs. Reddick for the lead. The Kiwi bought shut, however he was unable to mount a correct assault on the championship chief. He lastly light, and the #45 23XI Racing Toyota drove off into the sundown.

The race went inexperienced to the top, at the same time as Carson Hocevar spun on the ultimate lap, costing himself a handful of positions.

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– The Motorsport.com Crew