Tyler Reddick and his 23XI Monster Energy team scored their first win of the 2023 season, holding off attack after attack in a thrilling triple-overtime race finish on Sunday in Austin, TX. Starting from outside pole position, Reddick and his team were narrowly beat out by William Byron for pole after initially setting a new track record for the series in the first stage of qualifying. By mid-race the already fast Reddick put on his afterburner and his black and green 45 Toyota Camry was the pacesetter of the field as he ran down the dominant William Byron.
In the end, Byron fell from pole position to finish fifth behind fellow Chevrolet drivers Kyle Busch (who was runner up in Saturday’s Craftsman Truck Series race), teammate Alex Bowman, and 2022 race-winner, Ross Chastain.
Formula 1 World Champions Jenson Button and Kimi Räikkönen finished 18th and 29th respectfully, with Räikkönen running as high as 4th near the end of the race, but was demoted down the order after contact during the 2nd overtime session. Button, who made his first ever Cup-series start in the number 15 Rick Ware Racing Ford, will be piloting NASCAR’s Garage 56 effort with Hendrick Motorsports in LeMans, France later this year for the 24h of LeMans alongside Seven-time Cup Series Champion Jimmie Johnson and sports-car legend Mike Rockenfeller.
Speaking of sports cars, Corvette Factory Driver Jordan Taylor filled in for the injured Chase Elliott in the number 9 Unifirst Chevrolet. The young driver out of Florida posted the 4th fasted time in qualifying and was the highest qualifying first time starter since 1999. Unfortunately his day finished in 24th position after contact and late race traffic pushed him down the order.
Catch up on all the highlights from Austin below as NASCAR heads to Richmond Raceway this weekend for the Toyota Owners 400.