Tyler Reddick’s Dramatic 2026 Triumph for 23XI Racing

Michael Jordan, the six-time NBA champion and co-owner of 23XI Racing, added a new championship moment to his legendary resume on February 15, 2026, when driver Tyler Reddick won the 68th Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway. Reddick’s last-lap surge past Chase Elliott gave Jordan his first victory in NASCAR’s premier event as a team owner, capping a chaotic, wreck-filled “Great American Race” and marking a redemption arc for both the driver and the organization.

Jordan, who turns 63 on February 17, 2026, was visibly emotional in Victory Lane, bear-hugging Reddick and jointly hoisting the Harley J. Earl Trophy with the 30-year-old Californian. “It feels like winning a championship, like a huge championship,” Jordan told reporters post-race, his voice cracking with excitement. The moment echoed his NBA glory days, but this time the celebration came on asphalt rather than hardwood.

Reddick, driving the No. 45 Toyota for 23XI Racing, led only the final lap in a race defined by strategy, survival and late chaos. He navigated two major multi-car wrecks on the closing circuits, including one that eliminated several contenders, then executed a bold outside-to-inside move to overtake Elliott as they crossed the line. Reddick finished ahead of Ricky Stenhouse Jr., Joey Logano, Chase Elliott and Brad Keselowski in a photo-finish that thrilled a packed grandstand.

The win was Reddick’s ninth career Cup Series victory in 219 starts and his first Daytona 500. It also marked the 10th triumph for 23XI Racing since its 2021 debut, co-owned by Jordan and three-time Daytona 500 winner Denny Hamlin. “When you’re a Cup driver and you get to this level and drive for Michael Jordan, you know it’s expected you win every single year,” Reddick said in his post-race interview with Fox Sports. “Last year was really hard for all of us. This means everything.”

The 2025 season had been winless for Reddick and frustrating for 23XI, compounded by ongoing legal battles with NASCAR over charter agreements (settled earlier in 2026). The Daytona triumph turned that page emphatically. Reddick, from Corning, California, praised his team’s preparation and his own instincts during the frantic finish: “It felt slow and smooth from my seat. I trusted what I saw and went for it.”

Jordan’s presence amplified the celebration. The NBA Hall of Famer, who has invested heavily in motorsports since retiring from basketball, watched from the pits and rushed to Victory Lane for the trophy hoist. Video footage showed him teary-eyed, sharing a quiet moment with Reddick before the crowd’s roar. “I love it. I absolutely love it,” Jordan told The Athletic’s Jordan Bianchi. He later joked about needing a size-13 ring for his upcoming birthday.

The race itself was a classic superspeedway thriller. Multiple big wrecks thinned the field, with favorites like Kyle Larson and William Byron caught in incidents. Reddick stayed composed, conserving tires and fuel while positioning for the end. His move on the final lap avoided the chaos that claimed others, securing the win in dramatic fashion.

For 23XI Racing, the victory validates Jordan and Hamlin’s vision. The team, which fields cars for Reddick and Bubba Wallace (who finished 10th), has grown into a consistent contender. Hamlin, absent from the driver’s seat but integral as co-owner, celebrated from afar. The win boosts morale amid NASCAR’s evolving landscape, including charter stability and rising competition from manufacturers.

Post-race, Reddick dedicated the victory to his team and family, including his young son Beau, who joined the celebration. Jordan, ever the competitor, emphasized the shared joy: “This is what it’s about—building something special and winning big.” Social media exploded with clips of Jordan’s embrace and trophy lift, trending under hashtags like #MJDaytonaWin and #Reddick500.

As NASCAR’s season opener, the Daytona 500 win propels Reddick into title contention. For Jordan, it’s another ring in a collection that now spans basketball and auto racing. The 2026 campaign starts with momentum, proving that even legends find new ways to celebrate triumph.