Who is Tyler Reddick? NASCAR racer powers Michael Jordan-owned team to Daytona 500 victory, leads only the final lap in wild finish

Tyler Reddick captured a dramatic victory in the Daytona 500 while driving for the Michael Jordan-owned 23XI Racing team, capitalizing on a late crash involving Chase Elliott as the two battled for the lead. Reddick, racing a Toyota for 23XI Racing, led just one lap all afternoon - the most important one - crossing the checkered flag first for the team co-owned by Jordan and three-time Daytona 500 winner Denny Hamlin. The win marked Reddick’s ninth career victory in the NASCAR Cup Series and ended a winless 2025 season, reported Road&Track. It also capped an emotional turnaround for 23XI Racing, coming months after the team secured a landmark legal victory during the offseason.


Elliott took control on the final lap after race leader Carson Hocevar was spun off the track, and it briefly looked as though the son of NASCAR Hall of Famer Bill Elliott would finally secure his first Daytona 500 victory. Instead, Reddick launched a powerful late charge, made contact with Elliott that sent him crashing, and then powered past the wreckage to deliver Jordan his first Daytona 500 triumph, rolling into victory lane at Daytona International Speedway.


"Just incredible how it all played out. Just true Daytona madness," Reddick said as quoted by AP. "I've already lost my voice from screaming. Never thought I'd be Daytona 500 champion."


The basketball icon rushed to victory lane, where he greeted Reddick with a celebratory bear hug before the two together lifted the Harley J. Earl Trophy high into the air. Jordan, who turns 63 on Tuesday, capped the unforgettable night by earning his first Daytona 500 championship ring as a team owner - a fitting birthday gift. Smiling in victory lane, he even joked about the prize, making sure everyone knew he wears a size 13.

"It feels like I won a championship, but until I get my ring, I won't even know," Jordan said.


The celebration also featured several of NASCAR’s biggest names, as Tyler Reddick shares a garage with teammate Bubba Wallace at 23XI Racing. Wallace, who led and controlled large portions of the race, was overcome with emotion in victory lane after his strong run ended in disappointment. Despite dominating much of the afternoon, he was shuffled back in the closing laps and ultimately finished 10th, making Reddick’s dramatic win both a moment of joy and heartbreak for the team.


"I can't even believe it. It was so gratifying," Jordan said as quoted by AP. "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."