Tyler Reddick Wins Daytona 500
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — Tyler Reddick claimed victory at the Daytona 500 driving a car owned by Michael Jordan. The dramatic turn came when Chase Elliott, who was in contention for the win, crashed out.
In a Toyota from 23XI Racing, Reddick led just one lap during the race—but it was the crucial lap that crossed the finish line, clinching the victory for a team co-owned by NBA legend and three-time Daytona 500 champion Denny Hamlin.
“It’s hard to believe how everything unfolded here at Daytona,” Reddick remarked. “I was yelling so much, I could barely speak. Becoming the Daytona 500 champion? It feels surreal.”
Jordan celebrated alongside Reddick in Victory Lane, sharing a heartfelt embrace and raising the Harley J. Earle trophy high. The soon-to-be 63-year-old revealed plans to gift Reddick a Daytona 500 ring for his birthday—size 13, just so everyone knows.
“I feel like I’ve won a championship, but I guess you don’t really know until you have the ring,” Jordan said with a chuckle.
The celebration was full of emotion, especially for Reddick’s teammate, Bubba Wallace. He had a strong race, leading for a significant portion but ultimately finishing in 10th place, which brought tears to his eyes.
Jordan offered words of encouragement to Wallace, who was still reeling from what could have been a breakthrough for him.
“I don’t want my emotions to overshadow what a monumental day it is for Tyler,” Wallace said. “Happy birthday, MJ. This is quite a present. I thought this would be my best 500 yet, but it didn’t turn out that way.”
Meanwhile, Hamlin’s own race ended in disappointment as he finished 31st, missing the chance to become the third driver to win four Daytona 500s.
Hamlin collided with teammate Christopher Bell just nine laps before the finish, which put him behind during the climactic moments of the race. Elliott took the lead on the last lap, appearing set for victory until Reddick made a decisive move, forcing Elliott into a spin and securing the win for Jordan’s team.
Jordan was also involved in a recent federal antitrust case against NASCAR, which was settled just as the Daytona race weekend began. He observed from a suite above the track, reflecting on the day’s success.
“It was incredible. You never know how races will turn out. We gave ourselves a shot thanks to some solid team strategy,” Jordan shared. “Honestly, I’m over the moon right now.”
The win capped off a successful weekend for team owners involved in the case. Bob Jenkins, who was part of the lawsuit against NASCAR, celebrated a Truck Series win before Reddick’s triumph on Sunday.
In the aftermath of the race, Reddick celebrated with his son, Beau, in Victory Lane, while Jordan was recognized for securing his first Daytona 500 win alongside Hamlin.
Former champions Ricky Stenhouse Jr. and Joey Logano took second and third respectively, while Elliott, finishing fourth, showed visible signs of shock and disappointment as he reflected on the race post-event.
“We had a good chance at the lead, but then it got pretty complicated out there. Looking back, I can think of numerous things I could’ve done differently. I often wonder if I could have blocked Reddick more effectively,” Elliott said, clearly still processing the outcome.
“It’s a fine line to navigate.”
