Basketball icon Michael Jordan was described as 'ecstatic' on Sunday evening following a monumental triumph for his NASCAR team at the legendary Daytona 500. In a thrilling conclusion, driver Tyler Reddick surged to victory in the sport's most prestigious race, delivering Jordan his first major success as a team owner with 23XI Racing.
A Dramatic Victory for 23XI Racing
The final lap of the Daytona 500 unfolded in chaotic fashion, with Tyler Reddick emerging from the pack to claim the checkered flag. Remarkably, Reddick led only a single lap throughout the entire event: the decisive one that secured victory for the team co-owned by Michael Jordan and three-time Daytona 500 champion Denny Hamlin.
'I can't even believe it,' an emotional Jordan stated in a post-race interview with Fox. 'It was so gratifying. We had four guys that were really fighting, that were helping each other out. You never know how these races are gonna end, right? You just try to survive.'
Jordan, who was a central figure in the federal antitrust lawsuit against NASCAR that was settled last year, praised the team's resilience and strategy. 'We hung in there all day. Great strategy by the team, and we gave ourselves a chance at the end.'
Jordan's Championship Feeling
The six-time NBA champion, who will celebrate his 63rd birthday this Tuesday, was visibly overjoyed in victory lane. He shared a bear hug with Reddick before they jointly lifted the iconic Harley J. Earl trophy.
'Look, I'm ecstatic. I don't even know what to say,' Jordan added. 'It feels like I won a championship, but until I get my ring I won't even know.' He humorously noted that he wears a size 13 ring, anticipating a special birthday gift from the victory.
Jordan was also seen sharing smiles with NASCAR chairman Jim France, a moment that contrasted with the legal drama of the previous year's antitrust case.
Reddick's Emotional Triumph
For Tyler Reddick, a 30-year-old from Corning, California, this victory marked his ninth win in the NASCAR Cup Series and his first since late in the 2024 season. The win ended a 38-race losing streak, a significant personal milestone following a challenging year.
Reddick had opened the 2025 season with a second-place finish in the Daytona 500, but his focus was largely diverted by his infant son's health struggles, including a chest tumor affecting the heart. This triumph provided a powerful emotional release.
'Just incredible how it all played out. Just true Daytona madness,' said Reddick, who became the 25th different driver to lead a lap, setting a new Daytona 500 record. 'I've already lost my voice from screaming. Never thought I'd be Daytona 500 champion.'
Team Dynamics and Support
The victory was a collective effort for 23XI Racing. Reddick's teammate, Bubba Wallace, led a race-high 40 laps but ultimately finished tenth. In a poignant moment, Jordan wrapped his arms around Wallace from behind, offering words of encouragement.
'I don't want my emotions to take away from the monumental day they just accomplished. Happy birthday, MJ. That's a massive birthday present,' Wallace said. 'I thought this was our week, the best 500 I've ever had, and come up short, sucks. Led a lot of laps, lap leader, I believe. It was a good day for us, but damn. Try again next year.'
The celebration attracted multiple stars from the NASCAR world, underscoring the significance of this victory for Jordan's venture into motorsports. This win not only marks a historic achievement for 23XI Racing but also solidifies Michael Jordan's growing legacy beyond the basketball court.
