While the NBA was trying out its latest version of the All-Star Game in Los Angeles, Michael Jordan was busy winning another championship at the Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Florida. And it wasn’t just an ordinary race, it was NASCAR’s biggest race, the “Great American Race.”
Jordan’s 23XI Racing team won the 68th edition of the Daytona 500, with Tyler Reddick taking the checkered flag in a crash-filled finish. Driving the No.45 Toyota, the 30-year-old led only one lap during the race, but it was the last one and that’s what mattered the most.
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The win was the 9th for Reddick in the Cup Series and his first since 2024. But not only was it the biggest win of Tyler’s career, but it was also the biggest victory for team owner Michael Jordan.
“I can’t even believe it,” said Jordan. “I’m ecstatic. I don’t even know what to say. It feels like I won a championship, but until I get my ring, I won’t even know.”
MJ had three cars in the race
Jordan won a total of six NBA championships for the Chicago Bulls during his 15-year NBA career. But while MJ personally made sure that the Bulls won those championships, he had to watch from a suite overlooking the speedway as his team delivered him the victory on Sunday at Daytona.
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Jordan 23XI had three cars in the race – Reddick’s No.45, the No.23 driven by Bubba Wallace and the No.35, which was driven by Riley Herbst. Wallace looked like he was going to be the one to deliver the Harley J. Earl trophy as he led for 40 laps before finishing 10th. Meanwhile, Herbst crashed near the finish line, but MJ gave him plenty of props.
“I thought Riley did an unbelievable job pushing at the end,” Jordan spoke of Herbst after the race. “That 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.”
Related: Michael Jordan faces backlash over weird celebration with a child after Daytona 500 win
Advanced birthday present for the GOAT
The win was more special for Jordan, who will be turning 63 years old on February 17th, making the Daytona 500 victory an advanced birthday present for the basketball GOAT. He will also get a Daytona 500 ring as team owner and while at Victory Lane, an obviously very happy GOAT made it known that his ring size is 13.
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“He loves his race team,” Jordan 23XI co-owner Denny Hamlin said, recalling he told the team to do its best this weekend to give MJ the best birthday gift ever.
“I was like, you know, you guys understand the responsibilities you have, that you have the power to bring joy to Michael Jordan. You have that power and nobody else can do it.’ There’s nothing else that can bring him the joy that seeing what his team can do and they took it to heart.”
Reddick especially took it personally after not winning a single race last year while tending to his sick infant son and finishing second in the 2025 Daytona 500. Curiously, Jordan also won a championship with a guy surnamed Reddick before LeBron James could.
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Related: “Always the guy they wanted to be their friend, not their boyfriend” – Michael Jordan openly admitted he struggled to attract women
This story was originally published by Basketball Network on Feb 16, 2026, where it first appeared in the Off The Court section. Add Basketball Network as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
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