Tyler Reddick won Sunday’s (March 1) NASCAR Cup Series race at COTA, holding off Shane van Gisbergen in the closing laps.
After a loose wheel from Ross Chastain brought out the final caution of the day, Reddick, as he had done all day, stayed in front of van Gisbergen and eventually pulled away, becoming the first driver to ever start a season with three straight wins.
“(It) means the world,” Reddick told FOX Sports’ Josh Sims. “It’s so fitting. We get going at the end there, and I’m leading, and there’s SVG. To be able to outlast him there and hold on for the win is incredible.”
Reddick started Sunday’s race from the pole and stayed up front for the majority of the day. He continuously held off Ryan Blaney in stages one and two in what would become a precursor for the race to the finish.
O’Reilly Breakdown: Shane van Gisbergen Breaks Through at COTA
SVG, Christopher Bell, Ty Gibbs, Michael McDowell, Kyle Larson, Chase Elliott, Blaney, AJ Allmendinger and Denny Hamlin completed the top 10.
Allmendinger received medical attention after the race.
SVG was unable to hunt down Reddick despite trailing him closely in the closing laps.
“It’s weird to be disappointed with second,” van Gisbergen said. “This series is just at a high level. Just following Tyler, his driving was immaculate and his car was very good too.”
Bell finished third, a much needed result after a rough start to the season.
“I just stalled out,” Bell said. “All race long, whenever I was on equal tires with guys I was going backwards. Strategy worked out. Super thankful that Adam Stevens called a really good race.”
Gibbs also scored a much needed top five after a disastrous pair of finishes at Daytona International Speedway and EchoPark Speedway.
“Had a lot of fun,” Gibbs said. “We passed a lot of cars, obviously. Tyler and the boys did a great job on the strategy. It was so much going on. It gets kind of hectic. I was up at the front at the end and just kept digging.”
Connor Zilisch finished 14th after being spun twice: first by Daniel Suarez at the start of stage two, and then by Zane Smith on the race’s final restart.
Alex Bowman, who was sick for the majority of the race, was pulled from his No. 48 car with 21 laps to go. Myatt Snider took over Bowman’s car and finished the race. Bowman finished 36th.
Stage two winner Chastain finished 35th after a right rear wheel came off of his No. 1 Chevrolet and brought out the caution.
Chase Briscoe finished 37th after mechanical issues.
Cup Series COTA Results
The Cup Series will return at Phoenix Raceway on March 8. Coverage will begin at 3:30 p.m. ET on FOX Sports 1.
Reddick is the real deal. Last year was a speed bump in what I’m convinced will be a championship-winning career. I’ve been impressed by his talent since long before this season.
23/11 won the trial and now they own japCAR, hence the illegal # 45.
Stock car racing is done.
When will the “Can he win four in a row like Harry Gant?” start? Harry would have won five in a row but trouble with a caliper near the end of the real “race” cost him the win. I believe it was Bristol and Ironhead didn’t have to rattle any cages to take advantage.
I wouldn’t bet against the #45 team right now. They are focused and on a mission.