Michael Jordan was left ‘ecstatic’ on Sunday night after one of his NASCAR drivers claimed a dramatic victory in the prestigious Daytona 500.
Tyler Reddick emerged from a wild final lap to win NASCAR’s biggest race in a car owned by the basketball icon, who was in the thick of the celebrations after his first major achievement with 23XI Racing.
‘I can’t even believe it,’ Jordan, who was the face of the December federal antitrust lawsuit that NASCAR settled on the ninth day of trial, said in a post-race interview with Fox.
‘It was so gratifying. We had four guys that were really fighting, that were helping each other out. You never know how these races are gonna end, right? 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.’
Reddick, in a Toyota for 23XI Racing, led only one lap Sunday: the one to the checkered flag for the team owned by Jordan and three-time Daytona 500 winner Denny Hamlin.
Michael Jordan tasted his first NASCAR victory with 23XI Racing at Daytona 500 on Sunday
The NBA icon said he was ‘ecstatic’ after his driver, Tyler Reddick, prevailed in a dramatic race
‘Just incredible how it all played out. Just true Daytona madness,’ said Reddick, the 25th different driver to lead a lap for a new Daytona 500 record. ‘I’ve already lost my voice from screaming. Never thought I’d be Daytona 500 champion.’
Neither did Jordan, who met Reddick in victory lane for a bear hug before they jointly hoisted the Harley J. Earl trophy. He was also all smiles with NASCAR chairman Jim France after last year’s lawsuit drama.
The six-time NBA champion, who turns 63 on Tuesday, will get a Daytona 500 ring for his birthday and made it known in victory lane he wears a size 13.
‘Look, I’m ecstatic. I don’t even know what to say,’ Jordan added. ‘It feels like I won a championship, but until I get my ring I won’t even know.’
Reddick, a 30-year-old from Corning, California, won for the ninth time in the Cup Series and first time since late in the 2024 season.
Winless last year, he was primarily focused on his infant son, who was found to have a tumor in his chest that affected his heart. Reddick opened last year with a runner-up finish in the Daytona 500.
He snapped the 38-race losing streak by finishing one place higher Sunday and winning to start a celebration that included multiple stars of NASCAR. Reddick is teammates with Bubba Wallace, who went to victory lane in tears after leading a race-high 40 laps before finishing 10th.
Reddick, a 30-year-old from Corning, California, won for the ninth time in the Cup Series and first time since late 2024
Jordan was pictured with NASCAR chairman Jim France (left) after last year’s lawsuit drama
Jordan wrapped his arms around Wallace from behind and spoke closely into his ear in a brief speech of encouragement.
‘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.
‘I thought this was our week, the best 500 I’ve ever had, and come up short, sucks.
‘Led a lot of laps, lap leader, I believe. It was a good day for us, but damn. Try again next year.’
