Michael Jordan is a champion again, and he had nothing but praise for NASCAR
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — Michael Jordan stood in Victory Lane on Sunday, Feb. 15, 2026 (ET), watching Tyler Reddick cross the finish line to deliver 23XI Racing its first Daytona 500 win. Rather than relish an opportunity to gloat after a bruising off-season legal battle, Jordan offered warmth, gratitude and a call for unity within the sport he loves.
A Daytona 500 for 23XI — and for Jordan
Reddick took the checkered flag in dramatic fashion, surging past a tangled finish after a late-lap collision that involved Chase Elliott. The move left Reddick the winner of NASCAR’s signature race — a moment he and team co-owner Michael Jordan visibly savored in Victory Lane. Jordan embraced Reddick and hoisted the Harley J. Earl trophy with the driver, marking a milestone for a team now in its sixth season.
The victory carried personal notes: Jordan, about to turn 63 on Tuesday, celebrated what he called a monumental birthday present and noted he will receive a Daytona 500 ring. Teammate emotions ran high as well; Bubba Wallace, who led a significant portion of the race, finished 10th and received consolation and support from Jordan on the frontstretch.
Magnanimity after months of conflict
The win arrived months after 23XI and other owners pressed a federal antitrust challenge that went to trial in December and ended in a settlement that yielded major concessions for the teams. The legal fight had the potential to sour relations between owners and the sport’s leadership. Instead, Jordan spent the day reaching for reconciliation.
He greeted NASCAR’s president and other senior executives with open arms in a private suite before coming back out to celebrate on track. Jordan repeatedly stressed how much the Daytona 500 meant to him and his family, and he urged participants across the paddock to communicate better and work together to grow the sport. That refrain held even in the heat of victory: there were hugs and handshakes, not barbs or lingering resentment.
What the win means for 23XI and NASCAR’s landscape
23XI Racing remains among the series’ elite, a team built with long-term investment and deep owner engagement. Jordan’s involvement has been hands-on since he teamed with Denny Hamlin in 2020, and the organization’s continued rise culminated Sunday in NASCAR’s biggest race. The triumph also capped a weekend in which owners closely involved in last winter’s legal actions enjoyed success across the series, underlining how quickly fortunes on race weekend can shift.
Beyond trophies and rings, the broader takeaway is a potential reset in relationships. Jordan framed the settlement and the Daytona win as a new beginning, emphasizing growth and collective effort over recrimination. For a sport that has long relied on passionate rivalries and regional loyalties, the message from one of the most recognizable figures in American sports was simple: competition can coexist with civility, and shared success benefits everyone on the grid.
On a day that showcased the chaos and theater of superspeedway racing, Jordan’s presence and posture left an impression almost as strong as the checkered flag. He celebrated like an owner who had just captured a championship, then walked away with the poise of someone focused on what comes next.
