MICHAEL JORDAN GETS HIS FIRST DAYTONA 500 WIN AS OWNER

## The Goat Gets His Ring Tyler Reddick won the Daytona 500 in a car owned by Michael Jordan when Chase Elliott crashed as he and Reddick were battling for the win. It was an early birthday present for Jordan, the NBA legend who turns 63 on Tuesday. "I can't even believe it. It was so gratifying," Jordan said of the victory. "Look, I'm ecstatic." Jordan shares his excitement in Tyler Reddick winning the 2026 Daytona 500 and in getting another victory ring fitted. Reddick snapped a 38-race winless streak dating to October 2024 at Homestead-Miami Speedway and became the 44th driver to win The Great American Race. Reddick won by leading only the final lap — the fourth time in Daytona 500 history that's happened. ## Victory After the War The timing could not be more perfect. After eight days of testimony, with likely two more days of testimony remaining, the sides came to an agreement. On December 11, 2025, both parties settled. "From the beginning, this lawsuit was about progress," Jordan said in a statement after the settlement. "It was about making sure our sport evolves in a way that supports everyone: teams, drivers, partners, employees and fans. With a foundation to build equity and invest in the future and a stronger voice in the decisions ahead, we now have the chance to grow together and make the sport even better for generations to come." On December 11, 2025, both parties settled. The settlement included both 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports receiving their six charters back and compensation for lost income from the previous races that were unchartered. Charters for all teams will be permanent. Jordan and NASCAR said that charters will now be permanent for all teams. NASCAR chairman Jim France, who was personally a defendant in the suit, went to Victory Lane to congratulate the winners. Then it was time for Jordan and Hamlin, the two front-facing litigants, as they got their first Daytona 500 victory together. ## Numbers Don't Lie Reddick, 30, from Corning, California, won for the ninth time in the Cup Series and first time since late in the 2024 season. Reddick won three times in 2024, scoring his most recent victory in October at Homestead-Miami Speedway to clinch his first Championship 4 appearance in NASCAR's premier series. Winless last year, Reddick was primarily focused on his infant son, who was found to have a tumor in his chest that affected his heart. It's the 10th career victory for 23XI Racing, which is co-owned by Jordan (who won six NBA championships with the Chicago Bulls) and three-time Daytona 500 winner Denny Hamlin, who earned his first victory in the season opener as a team owner. With wins at Daytona and Indianapolis Motor Speedway, 23XI Racing is halfway to having won all four of NASCAR's majors (the Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway and the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway remain). "It feels like I won the championship, but until I get my ring, I won't even know." Another championship ring for the man who already has six. This one might mean the most.