DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — Michael Jordan now owns another championship ring. And it didn’t require a fadeaway jumper.
Thanks to a last-lap surge every bit as dramatic as his iconic game-winners in a Chicago Bulls uniform, Tyler Reddick piloted his No. 45 Toyota – co-owned by Jordan and three-time Daytona 500 winner Denny Hamlin – through a chaotic final lap at Daytona International Speedway to claim victory in the Daytona 500. The win marked Jordan’s first as a NASCAR team owner.
“I’m going to be honest: I’m not even sure what happened because I was so focused in the moment and I haven’t seen the tape yet,” Reddick said in Victory Lane, champagne still dripping from his fire suit. “But here’s what I’ve learned from the two bosses that I have: You have to be in position to win it when it’s time to win it, or guess what? You won’t win it!”
The 68th running of “The Great American Race” unfolded as a strategic battle of attrition, a hallmark of modern Daytona 500s. The race, increasingly defined by fuel and tire management, saw drivers prioritizing preservation over outright speed for much of the day. This approach, once reserved for short tracks and road courses, has become increasingly prevalent at Daytona, transforming the final laps into a high-stakes sprint.
Reddick, starting 26th, methodically worked his way through the field. He was 20th at the end of the first stage, eighth at the end of the second, and found himself in a precarious position – fifth, or perhaps third, amidst a three-wide battle – as the white flag waved. By the time he crossed the finish line, he was first, having led only the final lap of the 200-lap event.
“You hire a driver like Tyler because he is a wheelman, and anyone who follows racing knew that already,” Hamlin said. “Patience isn’t easy, especially for race car drivers.” Hamlin himself finished 31st after being caught in a late-race crash.
The victory was particularly poignant given the recent challenges faced by 23XI Racing. In , Reddick secured the regular-season points title but fell short of championship contention in the playoffs. The following year brought a deeply personal struggle as Reddick and his family navigated a health scare involving their infant son, requiring the removal of a kidney. And last November, Hamlin endured a heartbreaking loss in the NASCAR Cup Series championship race, followed by the tragic death of his father in a house fire in December.
Adding another layer of complexity, 23XI Racing was recently involved in an antitrust lawsuit against NASCAR, ultimately reaching a settlement that, while not a complete victory, addressed concerns about competitive fairness. The legal battle exposed tensions within the sport and underscored the team’s determination to advocate for its interests.
The Daytona 500 win felt like a culmination of perseverance and a turning point for the organization. As Jordan and Reddick celebrated in Victory Lane, hoisting the Harley J. Earl Trophy, it symbolized a collective release of pent-up emotion and a renewed sense of optimism.
“Games aren’t won in the first quarter, or even the third. They can be lost then, for sure,” Jordan said, before leaving the celebration. “But you can’t make a buzzer-beater if you aren’t there for the buzzer.”
Reddick led a total of 18 laps in the top five, but only the final one mattered. He described the race as “true Daytona madness” and admitted to losing his voice from screaming in excitement.
The win marked the 25th different driver to lead a lap in the race, setting a new Daytona 500 record.
For Reddick, the victory was a validation of his talent and a testament to the unwavering support of his team, and family. “There are a lot of people in here with us right now that have wanted to feel good about something for a long time,” he said. “I can’t imagine much feeling better than this.”
And for Michael Jordan, it was a reminder that even beyond the basketball court, the thrill of victory remains as sweet as ever.
