Tyler Reddick gives Michael Jordan his first Daytona 500 with 23XI Racing

Tyler Reddick has won the Daytona 500 and delivered Michael Jordan and 23XI Racing their biggest victory in NASCAR .

Quick context: The Daytona 500 is the most important race in the NASCAR Cup Series, the stock car equivalent of a Super Bowl. Winning it not only defines a season: it solidifies projects, validates investments, and cements names in the annals of American motorsports history.

Tyler Reddick has won the 2024 Daytona 500 at the wheel of the No. 45 Toyota for 23XI Racing , the team co-founded by Michael Jordan and Denny Hamlin. Beyond the sporting result, the victory marks a turning point for a relatively young organization that has been investing heavily for years to compete in the same league as the established giants of the sport.

For Jordan, an absolute icon of the NBA and a global sports figure, the victory at Daytona confirms that his commitment to NASCAR is serious. For the series, it's a perfect picture: a global star celebrating on Victory Lane, a driver on the rise, and a manufacturer, Toyota, reinforcing its presence in the championship on the most high-profile stage of the season.

What happened in Daytona

This year's Daytona 500 was marked by challenging weather and a disrupted schedule, but on the track it followed its classic script: tight packs, crucial slipstreaming, and a finish where timing is everything. In that context, Reddick positioned himself perfectly, taking advantage of the team's efforts and the aerodynamic package of the new-generation Toyota Camry .

The outcome was the kind of finish NASCA R wants for its big race: a fight to the very last moment and a winner emerging from a group of contenders with real chances. Reddick's victory wasn't the result of some strange strategy or a lucky streak, but rather of being in the right position in the final laps and executing flawlessly.

For 23XI Racing, the victory comes at a pivotal point in their development. After several seasons demonstrating speed, pole positions, race wins, and consistent front-running presence, the team was missing that decisive victory on an iconic track. The Daytona 500 is precisely that victory: a result that changes the external perception of the project.

The role of Michael Jordan and 23XI Racing

23XI Racing was born with an unusual combination in NASCAR : the capital and image of Michael Jordan , plus the experience of Denny Hamlin as co-owner and active driver. From the beginning, the message was clear: this wasn't a marketing project, but a team built to win. The victory at the Daytona 500 is the most visible proof that this roadmap is beginning to unfold.

Jordan has been a constant presence around the team, and in Daytona his involvement was on full display. According to the race report, the former NBA player experienced the race with his characteristic intensity, and his subsequent celebration reflected what this victory means to him. It's not just another trophy in his collection, but confirmation that his investment in motorsports has paid off handsomely.

For the team, the impact goes far beyond the trophy. Winning the Daytona 500 strengthens the team's ability to attract sponsors, consolidate technical talent, and retain top-level drivers. It also validates the relationship with Toyota, which has supported 23XI Racing as one of its strategic projects within the Cup Series.

Tyler Reddick: from promising talent to 500 winner

Tyler Reddick was already considered one of the fastest talents in the NASCAR paddock, especially on high-speed tracks. His aggressive style and ability to push the car to its limits had earned him wins and a constant presence in the title conversation, but a major victory was missing from his record. The Daytona 500 fills that gap in one fell swoop.

The way Reddick managed the race aligns with his evolution as a driver. Beyond pure speed, he was able to read the field, work with his teammates, and avoid the incidents that often take out a large portion of the grid in these types of races. In the final stages, he combined patience with decisiveness when it was time to attack.

This victory also repositions Reddick within the Cup Series ecosystem. Winning the most high-profile race of the season places him at a different level of exposure and pressure, but it also gives him room to build a narrative as a driver capable of performing on the big days. For 23XI, it's confirmation that they chose the right driver to lead one of their cars.

Toyota and the manufacturer's weight in the victory

Reddick's victory is also a strategic win for Toyota. The Japanese automaker has been investing heavily in NASCAR for years, both in driver development programs and technical support for its top teams. Winning the Daytona 500 with 23XI Racing reinforces that strategy and demonstrates that its technical package is on par with its major American rivals.

In a race where teamwork by manufacturer is key, the coordination between the Toyota cars was a factor. Although the source doesn't go into deep technical details, it does make it clear that the result is part of a collective brand effort, not just the isolated performance of a single car.

For the championship, a manufacturer not traditionally associated with classic stock cars winning the year's biggest race sends a clear message of diversity and competitiveness. And for 23XI Racing, it reinforces its position within the Toyota structure as one of its priority projects.

What does this victory mean for NASCAR?

The image of Michael Jordan celebrating on Victory Lane after winning the Daytona 500 is pure gold for NASCAR. The series has been working for years to expand its fan base and modernize its image, and having a global sports icon lifting the trophy of his star race fits perfectly with that goal.

Furthermore, the triumph of a relatively young team against established powerhouses adds to the narrative: it demonstrates that, with investment, talent, and a strong partnership with a manufacturer, it's possible to reach the top within a reasonable timeframe. This is relevant for future investors and for the perception of the category as an environment open to new players.

The victory also helps solidify 23XI Racing's position as a benchmark for diversity and renewal within the paddock. While the source doesn't elaborate on this aspect, the mere fact that a Jordan-backed team continues to achieve significant results contributes to this image of change.

Key points, impact, and what's next

Key data

• Tyler Reddick wins the Daytona 500 with the No. 45 Toyota of 23XI Racing.
• It is 23XI Racing's first victory in the Daytona 500.
• Michael Jordan is a co-owner of the team along with Denny Hamlin.
• The Daytona 500 is the most important race in the NASCAR Cup Series.
• The victory strengthens 23XI Racing's position within the Toyota structure.
• The victory comes at a time of consolidation for the 23XI project in the Cup Series.
• Jordan's presence at Victory Lane brings a huge media impact to NASCAR.
• Reddick was already considered one of the strongest talents on the grid before this victory.

The important thing

• 23XI Racing goes from emerging project to winner of the biggest race of the year.
• It validates Michael Jordan's bet on NASCAR and reinforces Toyota's role in the category.
• Whether this victory will translate into a sustained fight for the title throughout the season.

From Cars&Pizza News' perspective, this Daytona 500 marks a turning point for 23XI Racing and for the relationship between global sports figures and NASCAR. Jordan's project has gone from being a curiosity to a winning force with serious credentials. The question now is clear: will we see Reddick, now with 23XI, fighting for the championship with the same force they've shown at Daytona?