Tyler Reddick Wins Daytona for Jordan

- The victory on February 16, 2026, was dramatic, with Tyler Reddick leading only the final lap of the Daytona 500. This marks the fourth time in the history of the race that the winner has led only the last lap. A chaotic final lap saw several contenders crash, involving a total of 19 cars. - This was a significant win for 23XI Racing, being their first Daytona 500 victory and the team's 10th career win overall. The team was co-founded in late 2020 by NBA legend Michael Jordan and three-time Daytona 500 winner Denny Hamlin. - The win was an early birthday present for co-owner Michael Jordan, who turned 63 on February 17, 2026. Jordan, who was present for the victory, has invested a reported $35-40 million into 23XI Racing. - For Tyler Reddick, this was his ninth career Cup Series victory and snapped a 38-race winless streak. The 30-year-old driver from California had previously finished as the runner-up in the Daytona 500. - The win for the No. 45 Toyota Camry came after a challenging 2025 season for Reddick, who went winless that year after winning the regular-season Cup title in 2024. The victory was also meaningful for Reddick on a personal level, as his infant son had undergone surgery for a tumor the previous fall. - Team co-owner Denny Hamlin, who drives the No. 11 for Joe Gibbs Racing, finished 31st in the race. Despite his own result, he celebrated the victory as a team owner, adding a Daytona 500 win in that role to his three wins as a driver. - Reddick's teammate, Bubba Wallace, who drives the No. 23 for 23XI Racing, led a race-high 40 laps but finished in 10th place. - The victory came just two months after 23XI Racing, along with Front Row Motorsports, settled a federal antitrust lawsuit against NASCAR, a move that is expected to alter the revenue-sharing model in the sport.