Reddick Goes 3-For-3 to Start the 2026 Season
Reddick dominates in dramatic fashion in Texas.
There was a lot of talk about Shane van Gisbergen and Tyler Reddick heading into last weekend’s race at Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas. After all, both drivers had won there before, and both stood on the precipice of history. Jeff Gordon and Shane van Gisbergen shared the record for most consecutive road course wins with five each; SVG had the chance to make it six and claim sole ownership of the record. Meanwhile, Tyler Reddick, fresh off of winning the first two races of the season, had a chance to become the first driver in history to win three in a row.
All eyes were on Reddick when he captured the pole position in qualifying. From the beginning of the race, it was clear that Reddick’s #45 Toyota was the car to beat. It’s clear to anyone watching that the 23XI crew have found something that makes their cars that much faster than any other team on the track. Reddick and his teammate, Bubba Wallace, currently occupy the top two spots in points. Both cars have had no issue with post-race inspections, and given the dramatic fashion in which Reddick won Atlanta – a drafting track – with no right front fender, it’s clear that there is no aero trickery at play.
Since the engines are delivered to the team sealed – and subsequently inspected after wins – all that’s left is engine and chassis tuning. That’s not to say that Reddick had nothing to do with his success, though. He’s one hell of a wheelman, and the COTA race showed him going toe-to-toe with the best. In the waning laps, Reddick and SVG left nothing on the table, hitting their marks perfectly. SVG got within three tenths of a second before telling his crew he had nothing for the 45 car. Hearing that as a driver has to be confidence inspiring – van Gisbergen is one of the best road course drivers in the world. In the end, Reddick would triumph, beating SVG by nearly four seconds.
In his post-race interview, SVG wore a big smile. He’s finally met his match.
Photo:Danny Hansen/Toyota Racing USA