Tyler Reddick’s 2026 season has turned into a weekly reminder that NASCAR does not hand out style points, only trophies. He collected another one Sunday at Circuit of the Americas, and this one came with a record no one had touched before.

Reddick won the DuraMAX Texas Grand Prix Powered by RelaDyne at COTA to become the first driver in NASCAR Cup Series history to win the first three races of a season. He opened the year with a Daytona 500 victory, followed it with a win at Atlanta, then won from the pole in Austin in the first road course race of the season.

“It’s one race, but it was so important,” Reddick said. “It’s so fitting to get three in a row and make history.”

Trump's Sovereign Wealth Fund: What Could It Mean For Your Money?

Driving the No. 45 Toyota for 23XI Racing, the team co owned by Michael Jordan and Denny Hamlin, Reddick controlled the day and still had to earn it the hard way late. Shane van Gisbergen chased him down in the closing stage, got to Reddick’s rear bumper, and stayed close for several laps before the gap finally stretched in the final run to the checkered flag.

“I was just trying to minimize mistakes, Shane is so good,” Reddick said.

The win was Reddick’s 11th career Cup victory and his second at Circuit of the Americas after also winning there in 2023. It was also the first time he has recorded multiple Cup wins at the same track.

Behind him, the finishing order at the front showed how hard it was to separate in Austin. Van Gisbergen finished second, Christopher Bell third, Ty Gibbs fourth, and Michael McDowell fifth. Kyle Larson, Chase Elliott, Ryan Blaney, AJ Allmendinger, and Denny Hamlin rounded out the top 10.

FREE Gun Law Map: Laws Don't Pause During Social Unrest

Jordan was at pit road for the finish and celebrated with the 23XI crew after Reddick crossed the line. He also put a name on what the team has done to start the season: another three-peat, except this one is happening on asphalt instead of hardwood.

“I’m proud of the team we put together,” Jordan said. He credited Hamlin with being the “mastermind” behind the operation.

“I just put up the money,” Jordan said. “Denny’s done an incredible job building this team.”

The win also extended what has become a loud start to the year for 23XI Racing. The organization entered NASCAR with its own level of ambition, then spent the last year in a high profile legal fight over the sport’s business model. A federal antitrust lawsuit involving 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports was settled in December, described as a major legal victory that secured a permanent franchise style model and ensured the team would remain in business long term.

On track, the results have been even louder. Reddick now has a historic three race streak to open the year, and his early season pace has already created separation in the standings after only three events.

Now the schedule shifts back to an oval, with the Cup Series heading to Phoenix Raceway on March 8. Jordan said he plans to be there to see if Reddick can keep the streak going.

Three races in, Reddick has already run out of normal ways to describe this start. NASCAR has a long history of streaks, but nobody had opened a season by winning the first three Cup races until now. That record belongs to the No. 45 team, and it got stamped into place in Austin.

The opinions expressed by contributors and/or content partners are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of Objectivist. Contact us for guidelines on submitting your own commentary.