Tyler Reddick Makes NASCAR History with Third Consecutive Victory
NASCAR driver Tyler Reddick has etched his name into the record books by securing his third straight win to open the 2026 season, a feat celebrated by 23XI Racing co-owner Michael Jordan. The basketball legend, while joyous, was quick to deflect credit away from himself and toward the driver and his dedicated team.
Jordan's Humble Perspective on Success
Speaking from pit row after the DuraMAX Texas Grand Prix in Austin, a beaming Jordan downplayed his own role in the triumph. 'Look,' the billionaire entrepreneur stated, 'I just put up the money.' Despite acknowledging his competitive nature, the 63-year-old icon emphasised that the real praise belongs to Reddick and the crew assembled by fellow co-owner Denny Hamlin.
'Tyler did a good job,' Jordan told Fox Sports. 'He beat some good competition. I'm proud of the team we put together. Denny, I'm pretty sure is the same way. He feels the same way as I do. And I think a lot of credit goes to him because he's the mastermind behind finding Tyler… I think Denny's done an unbelievable job in terms of helping build this team. And I think this team has done a good job of taking on leadership and just winning. That's what it's about. Winning.'
A Historic Three-Peat Under Pressure
Jordan, who knows a thing or two about threepeats from his basketball career, was particularly impressed with the team's ability to clinch a third consecutive race. He noted the immense pressure on Reddick, who entered the weekend with high expectations. 'Tyler came in with the most pressure, I guess,' Jordan reflected. 'Everybody expected him, or he had a chance to win three in a row. That's the hardest one to win, you know. And you know, he kept to his strategy, and the guys put together a great car.'
Reddick's victory streak began with the season-opening Daytona 500, followed by a win at Atlanta, and culminated with a pole-to-finish triumph in the first road course race of the year at the Circuit of the Americas (COTA). This marked his 11th career victory and his second at COTA, a track originally designed for Formula 1, making it the first venue where he has achieved multiple wins.
Team Effort and Strategic Mastery
The win was far from straightforward, even as Reddick appeared in control for much of the race. Shane Van Gisbergen, who dominated road courses in 2025 with five wins, applied significant pressure in the final stage, tailing Reddick for several laps. However, he could not find the pace to overtake and eventually fell back over the last six laps.
'I was just trying to minimize mistakes, Shane is so good,' Reddick admitted post-race. Jordan, renowned for his clutch performances, observed Reddick's composure under duress. 'You see SVG coming back, you get a little nervous, but I think he had him covered the whole day,' Jordan remarked.
Celebrating a Milestone and Looking Ahead
Following the race, NASCAR commemorated the achievement on social media, posting a photo of a jubilant Jordan high-fiving with the caption: 'MJ celebrates another three-peat.' Reddick himself acknowledged the significance of the moment, stating, 'It's one race, but it was so important. It's so fitting to get three in a row and make history.'
This historic win adds to a period of success for 23XI Racing, which recently secured a major legal victory through a federal antitrust lawsuit settlement with NASCAR in December. The agreement established a permanent franchise-style model, ensuring the team's long-term stability, and they have been unbeatable on the track ever since.
Jordan confirmed he will attend the next race in Phoenix to see if Reddick can extend the winning streak, which has already built a commanding 70-point lead in the drivers' championship. Van Gisbergen, who missed out on a record-tying sixth consecutive road win, conceded, 'Tyler was just amazing. You're always disappointed with second when the expectations are so high.'
As the team basks in this milestone, the focus now shifts to maintaining momentum and continuing their dominant run in the 2026 NASCAR season.
