Tyler Reddick Wins Daytona 500 for Michael Jordan's 23XI Racing
Reddick's last-lap pass delivered the Daytona 500 to Michael Jordan's 23XI Racing and came after a federal antitrust settlement that changed NASCAR's revenue-sharing model.
Overview
Tyler Reddick won the Daytona 500 after a last-lap pass that sent Chase Elliott into a crash, Reddick said.
The victory came in Michael Jordan-owned 23XI Racing and followed the December federal antitrust lawsuit that NASCAR settled on the ninth day of trial, which changed the sport's revenue-sharing model, reports said.
Michael Jordan bear-hugged Reddick in victory lane and the two jointly hoisted the Harley J. Earl trophy, Jordan said.
Reddick's win was his ninth Cup Series victory, his first since late in the 2024 season, and he led only one lap, becoming the 25th different race leader in the Daytona 500, reports said.
Denny Hamlin finished 31st and fell short in his bid to become the third driver in history to win four Daytona 500s, Hamlin said.
Analysis
Center-leaning sources frame the story as a celebratory, vindication narrative—foregrounding Michael Jordan’s emotional presence, the team’s jubilation and the legal backstory. Through upbeat language (“The Great American Race,” “Daytona madness”), selective quotes from owners/drivers, and emphasis on symbolic justice after the antitrust suit, coverage privileges triumph over critical scrutiny.
Sources (8)
FAQ
In December 2025, NASCAR settled a federal antitrust lawsuit with 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports on the ninth day of trial, resulting in permanent charters for teams, a share of international revenue and one-third of NASCAR's intellectual property revenue, and renegotiated terms aligned with new media rights cycles.
Tyler Reddick won with a last-lap pass that sent Chase Elliott into a crash, leading only the final lap as the 25th different leader in the race.
The victory marked 23XI Racing's first Daytona 500 win, owned by Michael Jordan, who celebrated by bear-hugging Reddick and jointly hoisting the Harley J. Earl trophy in victory lane.
NASCAR teams received only 7% of total revenue and 25% of broadcast contracts, which teams like 23XI criticized as broken and unsustainable, prompting the antitrust action.
Denny Hamlin finished 31st, falling short of becoming the third driver to win four Daytona 500s.
History
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