Add Daytona 500 winner to the long list of accomplishments next to NBA legend Michael Jordan’s name.
Tyler Reddick’s win secured the first-ever Daytona 500 win for 23XI Racing, which is the race team co-owned by Jordan and NASCAR driver Denny Hamlin.
“It feels like I won a championship, but until I get my ring, I won’t even know,” Jordan told Fox Sports from victory lane after Reddick had won.
The six-time NBA champion was ecstatic after the win and burst into victory lane to celebrate with Reddick and his crew.
Reddick hugged Jordan and was nearly lifted into the air by the over-the-moon NASCAR team owner, who then proceeded to high-five everyone.
Jordan and Reddick lifted the Harley J. Earl trophy into the air together as the confetti flew around them.
“He loves his race team,” Hamlin told reporters. “I was like, ‘You know, you guys understand the responsibilities you have, that you have the power to bring joy to Michael Jordan. You have that power and nobody else can do it.’
“There’s nothing else that can bring him the joy that seeing what his team can do and they took it to heart.”
The Daytona 500 win came just days before his 63rd birthday.
Reddick managed to pull off the win by holding the lead for just one lap on Sunday, and he won his ninth time in the Cup Series — and his first since the 2024 season.
“Just incredible how it all played out. Just true Daytona madness,” Reddick said. “I’ve already lost my voice from screaming. Never thought I’d be Daytona 500 champion.”
He added: “It’s stuff you dream of as a kid. Now, I definitely didn’t look into the future and know that I would drive for Michael Jordan. But to be able to have someone like Michael Jordan believe in me enough, someone like Denny Hamlin.
“I’m just trying to do my best to live on the promises that I made to them and vice versa.”
