Tyler Reddick is Rockin’ Headed Into COTA
Jason Karlavige
Tyler Reddick is on a tear to start the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series season. After winning the Daytona 500, Reddick followed it up with another victory at EchoPark Speedway.
“Tyler did an unbelievable job. Both teams did an unbelievable job. I wanted him to win. I feel bad for Bubba, obviously, because he had an unbelievable day, but Tyler drove his ass off, and I’m very happy for Tyler. I’m very happy for 23XI.” said Michael Jordan, co-owner of 23XI, after Reddick’s second win of the season at EchoPark Speedway.
Tyler Reddick celebrates his second win of the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series season at EchoPark Speedway last Sunday.There is a real possibility the 23XI Racing driver can win three in a row at Circuit of the Americas this weekend, a track where he finished in the Top 5 in his last four races, and in the Top 10 in every COTA race since NASCAR began racing at the road course in Austin, Texas. “Now to have, like you said, 40 points up going into COTA where we’ve been really good, going into Phoenix and Vegas, a place that in the spring especially we contend.” stated Reddick.
Fantasy NASCAR Driver Outlook
The 2026 NASCAR season is off to a hot start, with two thrilling races at Superspeedway-style tracks. While Reddick has stood out, other Cup Series drivers have a lot to be excited about heading to COTA when looking at the Cup Series stats early into the season.
Zane Smith has the second-best average finish of 6.5 after two Top 10s to start the season. Three other drivers — Chase Elliott, Bubba Wallace, and Daniel Suárez — all have average finishes below 10 two races into the season.
COTA will present a new set of challenges for the drivers and teams. All eyes will be on Shane van Gisbergen, who has dominated the road courses in the past two seasons. However, he is yet to find victory lane at Circuit of the Americas in his two attempts, with a best finish of 6th last season.
Christopher Bell won at COTA last season, in the midst of his own three-race winning streak. After two finishes outside the Top 20 to start the 2026 season, it is safe to say Bell is looking forward to a more technical track this weekend.
Five drivers have an average finish lower than 10 after two races into the season.Start Times for St. Petersburg and COTA
It is a weekend full of road course racing ahead. The Craftsman Truck Series heads to St. Petersburg for the first NASCAR race at the 1.8 mile street circuit in St. Petersburg, Florida. The O’Reilly Auto Parts Series and Cup Series both visit COTA.
Craftsman Truck Series
Race: OnlyBulls Green Flag 150
Qualifying: 2/27 at 4PM ET
Green Flag: 2/28 at 12PM ET
O’Reilly Auto Parts Series
Race: Focused Health 250
Qualifying: 2/27 at 5PM ET
Green Flag: 2/28 at 3PM ET
NASCAR Cup Series
Race: DuraMAX Grand Prix
Qualifying: 2/28 at 10AM ET
Green Flag: 3/1 at 3:30PM ET
You can find the full race weekend schedules here.
