Tyler Reddick Takes Triple-Overtime Marathon at COTA

Photo Credit to Chris Graythen/Getty Images for NASCAR

NASCAR

Tyler Reddick wins COTA After Triple-Overtime Finish

AUSTIN, Texas – The fastest car in town tore up the track at COTA, as Tyler Reddick earns his first win with 23XI Racing. Quickest from unloading in practice and qualifying a close second, the No. 45 Toyota left the field in the dust. Reddick now has three road course wins in the past year, with Toyota now back in victory lane.

Starting on the front row, Reddick found the lead early on lap eight. Reddick’s team would forego Stage 1 points on a strategy play, opting to pit before the first Stage end. This handed Stage 1 to polesitter William Byron.

Reddick would slowly claw his way back to the point, winning Stage 2 by over seven seconds. The 45 would make their second pit stop of the day just a lap later, briefly handing the lead back to Byron.

Reddick would maintain ground over Byron under caution, but a few others staying out jumbled up the running order. This restart with 24 laps left saw Reddick overshoot turn one, giving the top spot back to Byron when things shook out. The 24’s time out front was brief though, as Reddick quickly overpowered him again.

With the race seemingly ending under a long green flag run, all of the leaders began aggressive fuel saving. Brad Keselowski getting stuck in turn seven would trigger a caution though, ending all fuel strategy games.

Despite restarting sixth on lap 59 with others staying out, the 45 was P1 again after turn one. An immediate caution would fly however for cars getting stuck behind the leaders.

The next restart with just seven laps left allowed Byron to grab the lead again. As laps wound down though, the 45 grew ever-so-bigger in the 24’s mirror. Reddick made the pass for the top spot in turn 11 and began to drive off again.

A debris caution set off an overtime restart that caused another caution. Another immediate yellow sent this race into triple-overtime. Despite so many late restarts, Reddick always came out on top and never wavered. Finally on the third overtime attempt, the field remained intact and Reddick drove off to the victory. 

“It means the world,” Reddick said. “This whole 23XI team has been working so hard all winter long to make the road course program better. Was extremely motivated to come in here and prove that performance, too.”

“Just so proud of this Monster Energy Toyota Camry TRD. Toyota, everybody, all the resources they’ve been putting into this to help turn around the road course program means a lot. I’m out of gas. But I feel a little bit better with Monster Energy.”

His fourth career win, COTA marks Reddick’s third road course triumph. Reddick is now locked into his third Playoff appearance, thanks to his first win with Toyota and 23XI Racing. As dominant as the No. 45 was at COTA, Reddick may become a heavy favorite at the next few road courses.

Behind Reddick, the top-10 were: Kyle Busch, Alex Bowman, Ross Chastain, William Byron, Austin Cindric, Ricky Stenhouse Jr., Chris Buescher, Ty Gibbs, and Todd Gilliland.

From one Toyota win, NASCAR heads to Richmond, where this manufacturer has been dominant. The aptly-named Toyota Owners 400 will go green Sunday at 3:30 p.m. ET on FS1, MRN, and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90. With Toyota now back in victory lane, a few of their veterans hope to find similar success on this short track.

Written by Peter Stratta

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Photo Credit to Chris Graythen/Getty Images for NASCAR