Tyler Reddick has carved out a remarkable place in NASCAR by becoming the first driver in Cup Series history to win the first three races of a season. This stunning achievement occurred less than a month into the 2026 season, with victories at the Daytona 500 on February 16, Echo Park Speedway in Atlanta, and most recently at Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas. His remarkable start has drawn comparisons to NBA legend Michael Jordan’s championship three-peats and has energized fans and competitors alike.
Details of Reddick’s Recent Victories and Team Dynamics
Reddick’s success is closely tied to his team 23XI Racing, co-owned by Michael Jordan and NASCAR driver Denny Hamlin. Holding off strong competition like Shane van Gisbergen in Austin, Reddick’s performance reflects a combination of strategic skill, teamwork, and preparation. After his latest win, Reddick acknowledged the collective effort behind these wins, saying,
“It’s incredible. NASCAR’s always been super competitive but in this day and age where the field is so close, for us to be able to pull this off is true testament of teamwork, hard work in the offseason by everyone on this team, everyone at 23XI,”
according to his interview with KXAN-TV.
Reddick also expressed his mindset going forward:
“It’s super special to be on this kind of a run. We’re just gonna try to keep it going as long as we can. We’re kind of just in the right headspace throughout the week, and it’s been really sweet to just grab these wins like we have.”
This attitude highlights his focus and determination as the season progresses.
Michael Jordan’s Support and Praise for Reddick
Michael Jordan, known for his own NBA three-peats in the 1990s with the Chicago Bulls, was present with the pit crew after the Austin race, celebrating Reddick’s achievement. Jordan greeted Reddick with a high five, exclaiming, “Three, baby, three!” The driver captured this moment on social media, posting it on X with the caption, “3 PEAT BABY.” Jordan also shared a symbolic side-by-side photo of himself and Reddick both showing three fingers, linking their historic accomplishments.
Reflecting on the pressure Reddick faced, Jordan told Fox Sports,
“Tyler came in with most pressure, He had a chance to win three in a row. That’s the hardest one to win, you know. And he kept to his strategy. … Tyler did a good job. He beat good competition.”
Jordan credited Denny Hamlin for orchestrating a winning team, describing Hamlin as the “mastermind” behind 23XI Racing’s early-season success. Jordan humbly remarked on his role by saying,
“I just put up the money.”
Behind the Scenes: Team Structure and Recent Legal Developments
Since its inception in 2020, 23XI Racing has expanded to include three full-time cars driven by Tyler Reddick, Bubba Wallace, and Riley Herbst. A fourth part-time vehicle is piloted by Corey Heim. Ahead of the upcoming race in Phoenix, Reddick leads the NASCAR Cup Series standings by a significant 70-point margin with Wallace holding second place. This dominance early in the season underscores the team’s competitive edge.
Earlier this year, 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports settled an antitrust lawsuit against NASCAR just nine days into the trial. The settlement secured permanent charters for all teams, including 23XI, which was a crucial win that solidified the team’s opportunity to compete without uncertainty going forward.
What This Means for NASCAR and Future Seasons
Tyler Reddick’s historic three-peat at the start of the season signals a possible new era in NASCAR, where young drivers can achieve early dominance through a blend of talent, teamwork, and strategic leadership. The involvement of high-profile figures like Michael Jordan and veteran driver Denny Hamlin has helped 23XI Racing transform into a formidable force. As the season continues, all eyes will remain on Reddick to see if he can sustain this extraordinary performance and possibly make NASCAR history again.
