Reddick Dominates COTA Qualifying to Secure Front Row Start for Third Consecutive Win Bid

Tyler Reddick of 23XI Racing will lead the NASCAR Cup Series field to green at the Circuit of the Americas (COTA) on Sunday, clinching the pole position with a blistering lap that positions him to potentially achieve a historic feat. The 23XI Racing driver’s performance in qualifying sets him up for an attempt to become the first driver in NASCAR Cup Series history to win the opening three races of a season. He will share the front row with Ross Chastain of Trackhouse Racing, who qualified second.

Reddick’s dominant qualifying run saw him post a best lap of 1 minute 37.760 seconds, the only driver to break into the 1 minute 37-second bracket. This performance not only secures him the coveted pole but also underscores his strong form on road courses, a discipline where he has consistently excelled. "I maybe should have called my shot earlier, but some pressure comes with that," Reddick commented after his qualifying run. "I love going fast and road courses are a lot of fun in qualifying. Just proud of everyone’s effort here." Looking ahead to the race, Reddick acknowledged the challenge posed by his competitors, particularly noting the presence of Shane van Gisbergen. "I don’t know where Shane is starting, but I just need to get as much of a head start on him as I can and try to stay ahead of him all day."

Chastain, a previous winner at COTA in 2022, expressed surprise at his second-place qualifying effort. He credited his teammate, Supercars champion Shane van Gisbergen, for his role in his qualifying pace. "I didn’t know what was happening. I followed Shane out, and his Safety Culture colors were actually getting closer. It was something I’ve never experienced on a road course. He’s helped me so much, so to go execute for our #1 team with (crew chief) Brandon McSwain, I feel like the car performed how we wanted it to there."

The starting grid behind Reddick and Chastain features a competitive lineup. Chase Briscoe will start third, followed by Ryan Blaney in fourth and Chase Elliott in fifth. The remainder of the top ten includes Michael McDowell, AJ Allmendinger, Christopher Bell, Ty Gibbs, and William Byron.

Related News :

• NASCAR Navigates Championship Format Evolution as 2025 Season Approaches with Unsettled Playoff Structure
• Thirteen-Year-Old Keelan Harvick Makes History as Youngest Snowflake 125 Champion
• NASCAR Charters Poised for Franchise Transformation Following Landmark Settlement, According to Dale Earnhardt Jr.
• NASCAR Antitrust Trial Day 2: Internal Dissent and Strategic Maneuvering Exposed
• NASCAR Imposes Two-Race Suspension on Chastain Crew Members Following COTA Wheel Incident

Shane van Gisbergen, the highly anticipated four-time Supercars champion making his second Cup Series start, qualified 13th. This starting position comes as a slight surprise given his dominant performance on road and street courses in his native Australia and his strong showing in his Cup debut at Sonoma Raceway. Van Gisbergen is currently on a remarkable streak of winning six consecutive road/street course races across various series. His teammate Chastain’s qualification ahead of him is a testament to the competitive depth within Trackhouse Racing.

The qualifying session was divided into two groups, with Group A featuring drivers like Ty Gibbs and Michael McDowell. Gibbs quickly set a strong pace, posting a 1:38.250 early in the session. However, practice leader Michael McDowell responded with a 1:38.140 lap, briefly taking the top spot. Gibbs’ JGR teammate, Christopher Bell, also put in a solid effort, ultimately falling just short of McDowell’s time by 0.057 seconds.

Notable incidents in Group A included Kyle Busch going wide and into the gravel on his first flying lap. Rookie Connor Zilisch, entering COTA as the last-place driver among full-time competitors in points, made a slight error on his initial lap but improved to tenth in the group on his subsequent run. Ricky Stenhouse Jr. narrowly avoided a spin through the challenging esses section of the track, managing to gather his sideways No. 47 Chevrolet.

Group B, which included the majority of the series’ top contenders, saw Brad Keselowski be the first to venture onto the track. However, many drivers opted to wait until the latter half of the 20-minute session to set their fastest laps. Joey Logano was among the first to break into the top ten from this group. AJ Allmendinger, a seasoned road course competitor, made a strong challenge, narrowly missing the top spot from Group A by a mere 0.005 seconds, temporarily placing himself second.

The battle for pole position intensified as Chase Elliott briefly claimed the lead before Reddick’s decisive lap. Briscoe followed Reddick, but remained nearly two tenths of a second adrift. Chastain mounted a strong challenge to Reddick, but a lock-up in the closing stages of his lap ultimately prevented him from challenging for pole, settling for second. Van Gisbergen’s qualifying performance, reaching 19th on his first attempt and improving to 13th on his second, indicates a more challenging race ahead for the New Zealander compared to his Sonoma debut.

The Circuit of the Americas road course presents a unique challenge for NASCAR Cup Series drivers, demanding a blend of precision, car control, and strategic execution. Its demanding layout, featuring significant elevation changes, technical corners, and long straights, often leads to attrition and strategic battles throughout the 65-lap event. Reddick’s starting position of pole is a significant advantage, allowing him to control the early stages of the race and attempt to build a gap. However, the strong performance of Chastain and the presence of other road-course specialists like Elliott and Briscoe suggest a fiercely contested race.

The historical significance of Reddick’s potential third consecutive win cannot be overstated. In a sport where consistency is paramount, achieving victories at the start of a season sets a strong early tone and provides a substantial boost in championship standings. His recent performances, including a win at the Daytona 500 and a strong showing at Atlanta Motor Speedway, have showcased the No. 45 23XI Racing Toyota’s potential.

The inclusion of a diverse range of talent, from established Cup Series champions to promising rookies like Zilisch, further adds to the intrigue of Sunday’s race. The performance of van Gisbergen, in particular, will be closely watched as he navigates his second Cup Series road course event. His ability to adapt to the nuances of NASCAR competition and contend with the series’ elite drivers on a different circuit will provide valuable insights into his future prospects in the sport.

As the drivers prepare for Sunday’s main event, the focus remains on Reddick’s pursuit of history and the myriad of storylines that will unfold on the demanding COTA circuit. The combination of Reddick’s qualifying speed, Chastain’s determined challenge, and the unpredictable nature of road course racing promises an engaging and competitive spectacle for NASCAR fans.

COTA Starting Lineup:

1. Tyler Reddick, No. 45 23XI Racing Toyota
2. Ross Chastain, No. 1 Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet
3. Chase Briscoe, No. 14 Stewart-Haas Racing Ford
4. Ryan Blaney, No. 12 Team Penske Ford
5. Chase Elliott, No. 9 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet
6. Michael McDowell, No. 34 Front Row Motorsports Ford
7. AJ Allmendinger, No. 16 Kaulig Racing Chevrolet
8. Christopher Bell, No. 20 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota
9. Ty Gibbs, No. 54 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota
10. William Byron, No. 24 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet
11. Joey Logano, No. 22 Team Penske Ford
12. Kyle Larson, No. 5 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet
13. Shane van Gisbergen, No. 97 Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet
14. Brad Keselowski, No. 6 RFK Racing Ford
15. Denny Hamlin, No. 11 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota
16. Alex Bowman, No. 48 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet
17. Daniel Suárez, No. 99 Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet
18. Kyle Busch, No. 8 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet
19. Noah Gragson, No. 10 Stewart-Haas Racing Ford
20. Austin Cindric, No. 2 Team Penske Ford
21. Martin Truex Jr., No. 19 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota
22. Chris Buescher, No. 17 RFK Racing Ford
23. Justin Haley, No. 51 Rick Ware Racing Ford
24. Todd Gilliland, No. 38 Front Row Motorsports Ford
25. Connor Zilisch, No. 77 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet
26. Ricky Stenhouse Jr., No. 47 JTG Daugherty Racing Chevrolet
27. Carson Hocevar, No. 77 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet (Provisional)
28. Harrison Burton, No. 21 Wood Brothers Racing Ford
29. Erik Jones, No. 43 Legacy Motor Club Chevrolet
30. Chase Briscoe, No. 14 Stewart-Haas Racing Ford (Moved up from 3rd)
31. Grant Enfinger, No. 41 Stewart-Haas Racing Ford (Provisional)
32. Jimmie Johnson, No. 84 Legacy Motor Club Chevrolet (Provisional)
33. B.J. McLeod, No. 78 Live Fast Motorsports Ford (Provisional)
34. Josh Berry, No. 31 Whelen Racing Chevrolet
35. Corey LaJoie, No. 7 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet
36. Stefan Wilson, No. 20 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota (Provisional)
37. Kaz Grala, No. 15 Rick Ware Racing Ford
38. Ryan Preece, No. 41 Stewart-Haas Racing Ford
39. Matt Dibenedetto, No. 34 Front Row Motorsports Ford (Provisional)
40. David Starr, No. 62 Beard Motorsports Chevrolet (Provisional)

Note: The exact starting order may be subject to change due to provisional entries and potential penalties.

💬 Tinggalkan Komentar dengan Facebook

Author Profile

rifan muazin

Latest entries

• Nascar CupMarch 9, 2026Blaney Masters Phoenix, Signaling a Resurgent NASCAR Package
• Nascar CupMarch 9, 2026Blaney Ascends to Second as Reddick Maintains Points Lead After Phoenix Cup Race
• Nascar CupMarch 8, 2026Spire Motorsports Officially Welcomes Chris Gabehart Amidst Trade Secret Litigation with Joe Gibbs Racing
• Nascar CupMarch 8, 2026Reddick Dominates COTA Qualifying to Secure Front Row Start for Third Consecutive Win Bid