Tyler Reddick has the opportunity this weekend at Circuit of the Americas (COTA) to make NASCAR history by winning the first three races of the Cup Series season, a feat never accomplished before. If successful, Reddick’s victory would break new ground in a sport entering its 78th year of competition.
After winning the opening two races in 2024, Reddick finds himself poised to become the first driver to start a NASCAR season 3-for-3. His current lead over teammate Bubba Wallace of 23XI Racing highlights his strong form heading into Sunday’s event, set to air at 3:30 p.m. ET on FOX.
Reddick’s Motivation and Preparation
Reflecting on the chance to win three consecutive races, Reddick shared,
If at any point during this week I’m running out of reasons to be motivated to go win, I’ll keep that in my back pocket, for sure,
showing his focus on maintaining momentum. He added,
So, yeah, I’ll try and make that a reality.
Reddick emphasized the importance of preparation and consistency, noting that his approach is to give his best effort every week regardless of the history-making aspect.
The Historical Context of Season-Opening Wins
Winning the first two races of a season is a rare and significant achievement in NASCAR. Only six drivers have done so before Reddick, with the last to accomplish this being Matt Kenseth in 2009. Historically, the highest finish for a back-to-back winner in the third race has been third place, held by Marvin Panch in 1959.
Reddick’s quest to complete the three-win start would surpass notable performances by NASCAR legends and could mark a defining moment early in this season.
Previous Drivers Who Opened Strong Seasons
The first to win the opening two races in a single season was Marvin Panch, who won at Lancaster and Concord in 1957. Panch finished third in the third race at Titusville-Cocoa Speedway, Florida, and concluded his season with six wins and a second-place points finish behind Buck Baker.
In 1959, Bob Welborn won the first two races at Fayetteville and Daytona but was sidelined by engine trouble in the Daytona 500, finishing 41st in the third race. He won only one more race that year and ended 17th in season standings.
David Pearson achieved the same in 1976 with victories at Riverside and Daytona. In the third event, a mechanical failure led to a 29th-place finish, but his limited schedule still yielded 10 wins and a ninth-place overall points finish despite missing several races.
Jeff Gordon, one of NASCAR’s most celebrated drivers, won the first two races in 1997 at Daytona and Rockingham. A fourth-place finish in the third race at Richmond helped propel him to 10 total wins and ultimately a Cup Series championship that year. Gordon remains the only driver on this list to clinch the title in a season starting with back-to-back wins.
More recently, Matt Kenseth achieved consecutive opening victories in 2009 at Daytona and Fontana. However, engine problems in the third race at Las Vegas ended his hopes of a historic three-win streak. Kenseth secured no additional wins that season and missed the Chase, finishing 14th in overall points.
The Significance of Reddick’s Pursuit
All the drivers who previously won the first two races of a season — Panch, Welborn, Pearson, Gordon, and Kenseth — have been either nominated or inducted into the NASCAR Hall of Fame. Reddick’s effort to add his name to this elite group underscores his skill and competitive potential.
Should Reddick claim victory at COTA this weekend, it would not only mark a personal milestone but could also establish a new benchmark in NASCAR history, increasing anticipation for what lies ahead in the 2024 Cup Series season.
