Tyler Reddick became a household name on February 15, 2026, after pulling off one of the most unforgettable finishes in Daytona 500 history. Driving the No. 45 Toyota for 23XI Racing—the team co-owned by NBA legend Michael Jordan—Reddick led only the final lap of the race to claim his first career victory in “The Great American Race.” The win not only marked a massive milestone for Reddick but also gave Jordan his first Daytona 500 title as a team owner .
But who exactly is Tyler Reddick, and what is the story behind the driver who delivered Michael Jordan’s team to NASCAR’s mountaintop? From his early days racing dirt tracks as a kid in California to becoming a two-time Xfinity Series champion and now a Daytona 500 winner, Reddick’s journey is one of talent, determination, and family support .
Who is Tyler Reddick? A Rising Star in NASCAR
Tyler George Reddick was born on January 11, 1996, in Corning, California . Now 30 years old, Reddick has built a reputation as one of the most versatile and aggressive drivers in the NASCAR Cup Series. Standing 5 feet 5 inches tall, he might not be the biggest guy in the garage, but his racing resume speaks for itself .
Reddick’s love for racing started incredibly early. He began competing at just four years old in Outlaw Karts before moving up to mini sprints, midgets, and dirt late models . His dirt racing background taught him to adapt quickly to changing track conditions—a skill that has served him well throughout his career. In fact, Reddick became the youngest driver to qualify on the pole for the prestigious World 100 at Eldora Speedway and the youngest winner in the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series .
Before making it big in NASCAR’s top series, Reddick proved his championship mettle in the Xfinity Series. He won back-to-back Xfinity Series championships in 2018 and 2019, becoming the first driver in NASCAR history to win consecutive titles with two different teams (JR Motorsports and Richard Childress Racing) . In 2018, he also took home the Sunoco Rookie of the Year award .
Reddick made his Cup Series debut in the 2019 Daytona 500 driving for Richard Childress Racing . He joined 23XI Racing in 2023 and quickly became a key part of the team’s success . The 2024 season was his best yet, as he earned three Cup Series wins, three pole awards, and secured the Regular Season Championship. He advanced all the way to the Championship 4 and finished the season ranked fourth overall .
Daytona 500 Victory: A Wild Finish for Michael Jordan’s Team
The 2026 Daytona 500 will go down as one of the wildest races in the event’s 68-year history. A record 26 different drivers led at least one lap, and there were 65 total lead changes throughout the afternoon . But when the checkered flag waved, it was Reddick celebrating in victory lane.
Reddick didn’t lead a single lap until the very end. On the final lap, a massive crash unfolded behind him as leaders Carson Hocevar, Erik Jones, and Michael McDowell all wrecked out of contention . Chase Elliott took the lead briefly, but Reddick—with a push from teammate Riley Herbst—drafted past Elliott and Zane Smith coming out of Turn 4 to steal the win at the line .
“Just incredible how it all played out. Just true Daytona madness,” Reddick said after the race. “I’ve already lost my voice from screaming. Never thought I’d be Daytona 500 champion” .
The victory marked Reddick’s ninth career Cup Series win and ended a winless 2025 season . But more importantly, it gave Michael Jordan his first Daytona 500 victory as a team owner. Jordan rushed to victory lane immediately after the race, wrapping Reddick in a bear hug before they lifted the Harley J. Earl Trophy together .
Jordan, who turned 63 on February 17, 2026, was clearly emotional about the win. “It feels like I won a championship, but until I get my ring, I won’t even know,” Jordan joked, making sure to mention he wears a size 13 . The win was especially sweet coming just months after 23XI Racing settled an anti-trust lawsuit with NASCAR over the charter system .
Tyler Reddick’s Wife: Meet Alexa DeLeon Reddick
Off the track, Tyler Reddick’s biggest supporter is his wife, Alexa DeLeon Reddick. The couple has been together for several years, and their relationship story is one that fans love to follow.
Alexa was born on March 6, 1995, in Chicago, Illinois . Tyler and Alexa got engaged in May 2023 after dating for a long time, and they officially tied the knot on July 25, 2024, in a beautiful ceremony in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin . Fellow NASCAR personalities joined them for the celebration, and Reddick later shared photos from their special day on social media.
But Alexa is much more than just a NASCAR wife. She is a trained social healthcare advocate and businesswoman with a strong passion for mental health support and environmental causes . She founded a nonprofit organization called Sembration Opita, which focuses on environmental awareness, reforestation projects, and community engagement .
Alexa also has professional sports in her blood. Her father was the late Jose DeLeon, a former Major League Baseball pitcher . That athletic background might help explain how she handles the high-pressure world of NASCAR racing.
The couple’s love story had a fun beginning. Alexa once shared on fellow NASCAR wife Haley Dillon’s podcast, “Believe In The Good,” that their first meeting involved a cruise—though she didn’t spill all the details . Fans love hearing these personal stories that make the drivers and their families feel more relatable.
Family Life: Children, Health Scare, and Support
Tyler and Alexa have two young sons together. Their first child, Beau, was born in January 2020 . In June 2025, the family grew with the arrival of their second son, whom they nicknamed Rookie George Reddick .
The arrival of Rookie, however, came with serious health challenges. Shortly after his birth, their youngest son faced a life-threatening medical issue involving a tumor on his chest that led to heart failure . Reddick opened up about the emotional ordeal after his Daytona 500 win, sharing how difficult that period was for the family.
“As he started to grow and things were going on with him, he just started going the wrong way,” Reddick explained. “He was in heart failure, and then just pretty quickly [doctors had to] understand what was causing the heart failure and piecing it all together” .
Throughout the entire process, Reddick credited his wife for holding the family together. “I’m really proud of my wife, she had to go through a lot during the entire process, but she was really the centerpiece that held everyone together throughout the whole thing” .
Thankfully, Rookie is now happy and healthy. Reddick shared a heartwarming update after the race, noting that during their time in Daytona, Rookie started crawling for the first time. “It’s incredible to have this milestone down here too,” Reddick said .
Reddick has also found small ways to honor his wife’s support during races. He has featured Alexa’s name on his car during events like the NASCAR Texas Cup to celebrate her and mark special occasions .
The family currently resides in Davidson, North Carolina . When he’s not behind the wheel, Reddick enjoys fitness, working on cars, and spending time outdoors with Alexa and the boys .
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Teammates and the 23XI Racing Family
Reddick shares the 23XI Racing garage with teammates Bubba Wallace, Riley Herbst, and Corey Heim . The teamwork between Reddick and Herbst on the final lap at Daytona was a perfect example of how the organization operates.
Wallace led a race-high 40 laps and controlled large portions of the event, but got shuffled back late and finished 10th . Despite his own disappointment, Wallace was overcome with emotion in victory lane watching his teammate celebrate the biggest win of his career .
Michael Jordan made sure to praise Herbst for his role in the victory. “I thought Riley did an unbelievable job by pushing at the end,” Jordan told FOX in victory lane. “It shows you what teamwork can really, really do. He doesn’t get enough credit. He won’t get enough credit, but we feel the love. We understand exactly what he did” .
Crew chief Billy Scott noted that Reddick entered the 2026 season with a “rejuvenated outlook on things” after the difficult 2025 season . Co-owner Denny Hamlin, a three-time Daytona 500 winner himself, observed that Reddick had changed his approach during the offseason, taking notes during meetings and showing a renewed focus .
Reddick acknowledged Hamlin’s influence after the win. “Obviously, it was a big win for Michael, but another owner of mine, Denny Hamlin, you know, in that [final lap], I was just trying to do everything that Denny would do. How would he find a way to win this race?” .
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