Tyler Reddick pulled off a last-lap pass to win the 2026 Daytona 500 on Sunday, giving NBA legend Michael Jordan his first victory in “The Great American Race” as a team owner. The dramatic finish at Daytona International Speedemarked a huge moment for 23XI Racing, the team Jordan co-owns with Denny Hamlin. While the win made headlines worldwide, it also got fans asking about Jordan’s personal connection to NASCAR and what cars the basketball icon actually owns.
The 68th running of the Daytona 500 came down to the final moments, with Reddick steering the No. 45 Toyota to victory lane. It was the only lap he led all day, but it was the one that counted. Jordan, who turns 63 on Tuesday, was watching from a suite and rushed to victory lane to wrap his arms around Reddick. The pair then hoisted the Harley J. Earl Trophy together.
“It feels like I won a championship,” Jordan said after the race, according to Fox Sports. “But until I get my ring, I won’t even know.”
That ring is coming. Daytona 500 winners receive special rings, and Jordan made sure everyone knew his size. “I wear a size 13,” he said in victory lane.
How 23XI Racing Dominated the Daytona 500
23XI Racing put on a show that went beyond just the win. The team placed three cars inside the top 10, showing the strength of their organization.
Bubba Wallace led a race-high 40 laps in the No. 23 car before finishing 10th. Riley Herbst finished eighth in the No. 35 Toyota after playing a key role in pushing Reddick to the front on the final lap.
“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.”
The final lap was pure chaos. Multiple cars crashed as drivers fought for position. Reddick managed to avoid the mess by making a bold move low on the track.
“When you’re a Cup driver and you get to this level and drive for Michael Jordan, it’s expected you win every single year,” Reddick said after the race.
The Meaning Behind 23XI Racing’s Name and Car Numbers
Fans who follow Jordan know his number 23 from his Chicago Bulls days. The team name 23XI combines Jordan’s 23 with Hamlin’s 11, the number Hamlin races with. The “XI” is the Roman numeral for 11.
The car numbers on 23XI Racing vehicles all connect to Jordan’s career:
- The No. 23 car driven by Bubba Wallace directly references Jordan’s Bulls number.
- The No. 45 car driven by Tyler Reddick matches the number Jordan wore during his Washington Wizards comeback.
- The No. 35 car driven by Riley Herbst connects to Jordan’s brief minor league baseball career with the Birmingham Barons.
What Cars Does Michael Jordan Own in NASCAR?
This question comes up often, and the answer requires some explanation. As a team owner, Jordan does not personally “own” specific cars in the way someone might own a classic vehicle in their garage. Instead, he owns the race team that builds and fields the cars.
23XI Racing fields Toyota Camry XSE vehicles in the NASCAR Cup Series. The team operates out of a shop in Huntersville, North Carolina, and employs dozens of crew members, engineers, and mechanics who build and maintain the race cars.
Each race car is a custom-built machine designed for speed and safety. These cars cost hundreds of thousands of dollars to build and are often destroyed or damaged during races. They are not personal possessions but tools of the sport.
That said, Jordan does have a famous car collection outside of NASCAR. The six-time NBA champion is known to own several luxury and exotic vehicles, including Ferraris, Lamborghinis, and customized Mercedes-Benz sedans.
From Courtroom to Victory Lane
The Daytona 500 win carried extra meaning given Jordan’s recent legal battle with NASCAR. Just two months ago, Jordan was in federal court as the lead plaintiff in an antitrust lawsuit against the France family, which owns NASCAR.
23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports filed the lawsuit in October 2024. They accused NASCAR of monopolistic practices related to the charter system, which governs how teams participate in the sport. The case was settled in December 2025 on the ninth day of the trial.
“Communication,” Jordan said when asked what he learned from the lawsuit. “We both needed to have a conversation about change and how we can grow this sport. Unfortunately, we had to go through what we had to go through.”
Jim France, the NASCAR chairman, appeared in victory lane to congratulate Jordan after the race. It was a moment that showed both sides were ready to move forward.
“I think, coming out of that, we have a much better appreciation of each other,” Jordan added. “I think it opens up conversations amongst each other to continue to grow the game.”
Jordan’s Personal Connection to Daytona
For Jordan, winning the Daytona 500 was about more than just adding a trophy to his collection. It connected him to childhood memories growing up in North Carolina.
“It was a group event,” Jordan told Fox before the race, describing how his family watched the Daytona 500 when he was young. “The family sat there and we watched the race. Four hours, five hours, six hours, didn’t matter. We were gonna watch the race.”
He explained what the race means to him now.
“For me to have an opportunity to continue to come back and be a part of this kinda reminds me of being back home in North Carolina and being able to connect with the family and watch the race.”
What This Win Means for 23XI Racing
The Daytona 500 is NASCAR’s biggest race, often called “The Great American Race.” Winning it puts 23XI Racing in elite company. The team started in 2021 and has grown quickly.
23XI Racing now has multiple crown jewel victories. Bubba Wallace won the Brickyard 400 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in 2024. Reddick added the Daytona 500 in 2026.
The team fields three full-time Cup Series cars with Wallace, Reddick, and Herbst. They also have Corey Heim racing part-time. All four drivers competed at Daytona, giving the team multiple shots at victory.
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The Final Lap That Made History
The final lap of the 2026 Daytona 500 will be replayed for years. With four laps to go, Carson Hocevar and Michael McDowell led the field. But racing at Daytona is unpredictable.
Hocevar got turned after contact from Erik Jones, taking out McDowell in the process. That opened the door for others.
Chase Elliott took the lead with Zane Smith behind him. Reddick had Riley Herbst pushing him from behind. As they came off turn 4, Reddick ducked low and shot past Elliott and Smith to take the lead.
Reddick crossed the finish line first while behind him, cars crashed across the track. It was a fitting end to a chaotic Daytona 500.
“I can’t even believe it. It was so gratifying,” Jordan said. “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.”
Tyler Reddick and the rest of the NASCAR Cup Series field head to Atlanta Motor Speedway next week for the Ambetter Health 400 on February 22.
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