What a weekend for sports fans and a truly unforgettable one for Michael Jordan. The basketball icon, already synonymous with winning thanks to his six NBA championships, can now add another feather to his legendary cap: Daytona 500 champion. On February 15, 2026, Tyler Reddick delivered a breathtaking last-lap victory at Daytona International Speedway, securing the first-ever Daytona 500 win for 23XI Racing—the NASCAR team co-owned by Jordan and Denny Hamlin. The win wasn’t just historic for the team; it was a personal triumph for Jordan, who celebrated with the kind of exuberance that only a true competitor could muster.
Reddick’s victory was the stuff of racing dreams—and racing madness. He led only the final lap, making him just the fourth driver in Daytona 500 history to win after taking the lead on the last lap. The final moments were electric: Carson Hocevar led at the white flag but spun out, opening the door for a three-way battle between Chase Elliott, Zane Smith, and Reddick. In a flurry of split-second decisions and raw speed, Reddick made two daring passes and outran a collision behind him to snatch the checkered flag. “Just incredible how it all played out. Just true Daytona madness,” Reddick told reporters after the race. “I’ve already lost my voice from screaming. Never thought I’d be Daytona 500 champion.”
For Reddick, a 30-year-old from Corning, California, this was his ninth Cup Series win and his first since late in the 2024 season. It snapped a 38-race losing streak, which weighed heavily on him, especially given the personal challenges he faced last year. Reddick’s focus in 2025 was split between racing and his infant son, Beau, who was diagnosed with a tumor in his chest that affected his heart. Reddick opened last year with a runner-up finish in the Daytona 500, but this time, he went one better—much to the delight of his team and family.
Jordan’s reaction in the aftermath was nothing short of jubilant. Cameras caught him bear-hugging Reddick in victory lane, nearly lifting the driver off his feet, and then jointly hoisting the iconic Harley J. Earl Trophy amid a shower of confetti. The celebration continued with high-fives for the entire 23XI Racing crew and, in a playful moment that’s since gone viral, a brief pinch of young Beau Reddick’s lower back—a gesture that some fans questioned but was explained by the close bond Jordan shares with the Reddick family. As Tyler Reddick revealed in a 2024 interview, Jordan has known Beau for years and often celebrates with him, underscoring the family atmosphere within the team.
“It feels like I won a championship, but until I get my ring, I won’t even know,” Jordan told Fox Sports, echoing the sentiment in interviews with NPR and other outlets. The win was particularly sweet coming just days before his 63rd birthday, and Jordan made it clear he was eagerly awaiting his Daytona 500 ring—size 13, for those keeping track. “I can’t even believe it. It was so gratifying,” Jordan said. “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.”
The significance of the victory wasn’t lost on co-owner Denny Hamlin, who, despite finishing 31st in his own quest to become a four-time Daytona 500 champion, was quick to highlight Jordan’s passion for racing. “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.” Hamlin’s words resonated with the 23XI Racing crew, who have seen firsthand how much the team’s success means to their famous co-owner.
Fellow 23XI Racing driver Bubba Wallace also joined in the celebration, using the podium ceremony to wish Jordan a happy birthday. “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. Though Wallace himself had led a number of laps and believed it was his week, he graciously acknowledged the magnitude of Reddick’s achievement and the collective effort of the team.
The win was not only a testament to Reddick’s skill and determination but also to the strategic acumen of the 23XI Racing crew. Their ability to keep Reddick in contention throughout a chaotic race paid off in the most dramatic fashion imaginable. Reddick became the 25th different driver to lead a lap in this year’s Daytona 500, setting a new record and highlighting just how unpredictable and competitive the race was from start to finish.
For Jordan, the Daytona 500 victory is more than just another trophy—it’s a validation of his commitment to excellence in a sport far removed from the basketball courts where he first made his name. Since launching 23XI Racing with Hamlin, Jordan has poured his competitive spirit into NASCAR, and Sunday’s win was the ultimate payoff. “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,” Reddick said, clearly moved by the faith his owners have shown in him.
As the dust settles on a wild weekend at Daytona, 23XI Racing’s breakthrough win stands as one of the early highlights of the 2026 sports calendar. For Michael Jordan, it’s a birthday gift he’ll never forget—and a reminder that, whether on the hardwood or the race track, greatness finds a way to shine through. With the NASCAR season just getting started, all eyes will be on 23XI Racing to see if they can build on this momentum. For now, though, the team, its owners, and its fans are savoring a victory that was as improbable as it was spectacular.