Tyler Reddick made history by becoming the first driver to win the opening three races of a NASCAR Cup Series season, clinching his latest triumph at the DuraMAX Texas Grand Prix on Sunday. Despite this milestone and his dominant performance at Circuit of The Americas, Reddick was not named driver of the week by experts Kevin Harvick or Will Buxton, sparking surprise among fans and observers.
Kevin Harvick Chooses Eli Tomac for Driver of the Week
Kevin Harvick selected Eli Tomac as his driver of the week, recognizing Tomac’s impressive achievement in securing his eighth career victory at Daytona International Speedway during the Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship on Saturday. Harvick acknowledged the difficulty of his choice, given multiple strong performances that weekend.
We’re going to make somebody mad this week because we had so many great performances, but I chose Eli Tomac,
Harvick said.
“Getting eight wins at Daytona — such an iconic facility and unique track. He knocked his tooth out afterward picking the trophy up.”
They’re all spectacular this week with what they’ve done. I didn’t want to feel too biased, either. So, I wanted to be open-minded about the perspective. Eight wins at Daytona is pretty phenomenal.
Will Buxton Honors Alex Palou’s Strategic Victory
Will Buxton stayed focused on the INDYCAR circuit when selecting his driver of the week. He awarded the honor to Alex Palou after the driver’s impressive win at the season-opening Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg. Buxton praised not only Palou’s victory but the way he managed the race tactically, particularly through fuel conservation and race intelligence.
Outstanding start to the season for the four-time champion who has raised his level again,
Buxton said.
It wasn’t just that he won, it was how he won. It was the intelligence, the race brain and the ability to conserve fuel in the opening stint so that he didn’t just make a better fuel number than his rivals, but that he was able to push on the laps he was able to outstay his rivals on the track.
Palou led the race for 59 laps and built nearly a 10-second lead by Lap 60, eventually finishing with a margin exceeding 12 seconds as he contends for a fourth consecutive INDYCAR title.
Everyone who thought they had a chance this year, they’ve got to redouble, again,
Buxton added.
Fans Rally Behind Reddick Despite Expert Snub
While Reddick was overlooked by Harvick and Buxton, the fan base overwhelmingly recognized his accomplishment. In a driver of the week fan vote, Reddick captured 71% of the votes, far outpacing other contenders. Shane van Ginsbergen, who finished second at COTA, received 12%, followed by Palou at 10%, and Tomac at 7%.
Implications of the Expert Perspectives and Fan Response
The divergence between expert picks and fan voting highlights differing values placed on racing achievements. Harvick and Buxton emphasized long-term career milestones and strategic racing intelligence, whereas fans celebrated Reddick’s remarkable streak and dominant performances. This contrast may fuel ongoing debates regarding recognition in motorsports and what defines a truly outstanding driver performance.
Going forward, Reddick’s pace sets a high benchmark for the NASCAR Cup Series and raises expectations for his championship potential, while his continued response to mixed acclaim will shape his public and professional narrative throughout the season.
