Tyler Reddick Secures Dramatic Daytona 500 Victory for Michael Jordan's 23XI Racing
In a stunning and chaotic conclusion to NASCAR's premier event, Tyler Reddick emerged victorious at the Daytona 500, driving a Toyota for 23XI Racing, the team co-owned by basketball icon Michael Jordan and three-time Daytona 500 winner Denny Hamlin. Reddick remarkably led only the final lap of Sunday's race to claim the prestigious title, delivering a significant achievement for the team and its high-profile owners.
A Record-Breaking and Emotional Triumph
The 30-year-old driver from Corning, California, became the 25th different driver to lead a lap during the event, setting a new Daytona 500 record. A jubilant Reddick expressed disbelief after the race, stating, "Just incredible how it all played out. Just true Daytona madness. I’ve already lost my voice from screaming. Never thought I’d be Daytona 500 champion." This win marks his ninth victory in the Cup Series and his first since late in the 2024 season, snapping a 38-race losing streak.
Reddick's triumph was particularly poignant given his personal challenges last year, when he was primarily focused on his infant son, who was diagnosed with a chest tumor affecting his heart. After finishing as runner-up in the 2025 Daytona 500, Reddick moved one place higher this year to secure the win, sparking an emotional celebration that included multiple NASCAR stars.
Michael Jordan's Birthday Celebration and Team Dynamics
Jordan, who turns 63 on Tuesday, celebrated in victory lane with a bear hug for Reddick before they jointly hoisted the Harley J. Earl trophy. The basketball legend, who wears a size 13, will receive a Daytona 500 ring as a birthday gift. "It feels like I won a championship, but until I get my ring, I won't even know," Jordan remarked, highlighting the significance of the victory.
The win also brought mixed emotions for Reddick's teammate, Bubba Wallace, who led a race-high 40 laps but finished 10th. Wallace, moved to tears, received encouragement from Jordan, who wrapped his arms around him and spoke closely into his ear. "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, acknowledging the team's success despite his own disappointment.
Chaotic Finish and Legal Backdrop
The race's conclusion was marked by high drama, with rival Chase Elliott crashing while battling Reddick for the lead on the final lap. Elliott had taken control after leader Carson Hocevar was spun off the track, but Reddick made a huge surge with an assist from teammate Riley Herbst, hitting Elliott and sailing past to secure the win.
This victory holds added significance given the recent legal context. Jordan was a key figure in a federal antitrust lawsuit against NASCAR, which was settled on the ninth day of trial in December, changing the revenue-sharing model in the series. Jordan watched the win from a suite overlooking the superspeedway built by the France family, whom he had just beaten in court. NASCAR chairman Jim France, a defendant in the suit, congratulated the winners in victory lane.
"I can’t even believe it. It was so gratifying," Jordan said of the victory. "You never know how these races are going to end. You just try to survive. We hung in there all day. Great strategy by the team, and we gave ourselves a chance at the end. Look, I’m ecstatic."
Broader Implications and Race Results
The Daytona 500 win completed a weekend sweep for team owners involved in the trial. Bob Jenkins, who joined 23XI in suing NASCAR, saw Chandler Smith win the Truck Series opener on Friday night for Front Row Motorsports. Richard Childress, who testified on behalf of 23XI and Front Row, was the winning team owner on Saturday when Austin Hill won. Reddick's victory for Jordan and Hamlin, the front-facing litigants, capped off this historic sequence.
In the final standings, former race winners Ricky Stenhouse Jr. and Joey Logano finished second and third, with Toyota, Chevrolet, and Ford each placing a driver on the podium. Elliott wound up fourth, sitting dejected on the track's outside wall after climbing from his car. "We ended up kind of getting gifted the lead ... and then at that point in time, you’re just on defense. Man, that’s a really, really tough place to be, truthfully," Elliott reflected, pondering what might have been done differently.
Denny Hamlin, who drives for Joe Gibbs Racing, finished 31st after being involved in a final caution with teammate Christopher Bell with nine laps remaining, falling short in his bid to become the third four-time Daytona 500 winner. Despite this, he joined the celebration in victory lane, marking a monumental day for 23XI Racing and its owners.
