Tyler Reddick beats Van Gisbergen to earn historic COTA NASCAR Cup win

Tyler Reddick merely can’t be stopped. Even Shane van Gisbergen at a highway 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 staff to win the primary three races of the yr since Petty Enterprises did it method 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 obtained going on the finish of the race, I am main and there is SVG – the man I have been attempting to beat for some time now. To have the ability to outlast him there and maintain on for the win is simply unbelievable. Simply actually happy with everybody on 23XI. We labored actually laborious, and we didn’t like getting beat like that at highway programs. It is one race, however it’s so vital, 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 crammed 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 sphere saved it clear with no incidents as Blaney, who confirmed nice long-run pace in observe, 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 lower by 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 highway. Chastain misplaced 5 positions after a quick stall.

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

On the restart, Zilisch went spinning by 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 with a purpose 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 highway as a result of a damaged shifter.

As the remainder of the leaders dove to pit highway, it cleared the way in which 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. Behind the sector, Erik Jones went for a spin, however was in a position to 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 prime 5 run going. He grew to become 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.

Immediately, every part modified as Chastain spun off observe as a result of a unfastened wheel that grew to become disconnected. NASCAR threw a warning, and the Stage 1 winner was held for 2 laps. There may also be further penalties subsequent week.

Throughout 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 obtained 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 obtained into teammate Jesse Love, which ended up sending Buescher spinning on the exit of the ultimate nook.

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

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

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– The Motorsport.com Staff