DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — Michael Jordan has added another championship ring to his collection.
In a move as thrilling as a clutch shot in the NBA Finals against the Utah Jazz or Cleveland Cavaliers, Tyler Reddick navigated his No. 45 Toyota—co-owned by Jordan and three-time Daytona 500 champion Denny Hamlin—through a chaotic scene, akin to deking Craig Ehlo for a game-winning basket. This was the Daytona 500, the pinnacle of stock car racing.
“To be honest, I’m not entirely sure what transpired because I was so focused on the race, and I haven’t had a chance to review the footage yet,” the 30-year-old shared in Victory Lane amid family embraces and champagne toasts. “But I’ve learned from my two bosses: If you’re not in position to win when it counts, chances are you won’t win!”
The race exemplified the evolving nature of the Daytona 500. Historically known for speed since 1959, it has morphed into a strategic game of fuel and tire conservation. This isn’t a new tactic, but its prevalence has reached unprecedented levels. Traditionally, this strategy was more commonly seen on short tracks and road courses, emphasizing the need to preserve equipment and plan meticulously in the pits to push to the front in the race’s final laps when attacks can finally be launched.
With increased competitiveness among drivers and vehicles, the Great American Race transforms from a tactical slow-paced marathon to a high-stakes sprint. Reddick, who honed his skills on the same Midwestern dirt tracks that produced legends like Jeff Gordon, Tony Stewart, and even Mario Andretti, is naturally suited for these quick races.
“You bring in a driver like Tyler because he’s exceptional behind the wheel, and that’s something racing fans have always recognized,” said Hamlin, who joined the celebratory atmosphere despite finishing 31st due to a late crash while seeking his fourth 500 victory. “Cultivating patience is a challenge, particularly for race car drivers.”
Starting from the 26th position, Reddick climbed to 20th by the end of the first stage and advanced to eighth by the second stage. As the final lap approached, Chase Elliott was in the lead with Reddick somewhere between third and fifth, trapped in a tightly packed three-wide formation. By the end of that final lap, amidst chaos with cars spinning around him, he found himself in first place.
Remarkably, he spent just 18 of 200 laps within the top five and only led one lap—the final one.
“Games can’t be won early on, not even in the third quarter. They can certainly be lost then,” Jordan remarked before slipping away from the celebration. “But you can’t make a game-winning shot unless you’re present for the final moments.”
For 23XI Racing, the team has often felt like it’s been in a constant state of a critical moment.
In 2024, Reddick secured the regular-season points title, yet fell short in clinching a Cup Series championship during the playoff season. The next year brought a health crisis for his infant son that required a kidney removal.
Last November, Hamlin, driving for Joe Gibbs Racing, faced heartbreaking disappointment in his long-standing quest for a championship. In December, he suffered the loss of his father due to injuries from a house fire.
All these events unfolded while 23XI Racing was embroiled in an antitrust lawsuit against NASCAR, which eventually concluded in a settlement favoring the team but not without leaving behind a trail of emotional scars within the NASCAR community.
hence, as NASCAR executives gathered for their customary congratulatory greetings and photos with the Daytona 500 champions, it felt like a closure to a chapter in stock car racing history that everyone was eager to conclude.
Former rivals embraced. Hamlin, though more subdued than usual, maintained a smile. Reddick marked the end of a 38-race winless streak, welcomed by his two sons, both in good health, in Victory Lane.
And yes, Jordan made sure to catch sight of Reddick’s Daytona 500 championship ring before leaving—a piece of jewelry bright enough to stand alongside his collection of basketball championship bling earned through game-winning moments.
Reddick gazed at the ring, choking back emotion.
“Many people here with us wanted to experience something uplifting for a long time,” he reflected. “I can’t imagine a feeling much greater than this.”
