Tyler Reddick Wins 2026 Daytona 500, Elevates Michael Jordan to Victory Lane
In an exhilarating finish to the 2026 Daytona 500, Tyler Reddick emerged victorious, marking a significant moment for both the driver and 23XI Racing, co-owned by Michael Jordan. Reddick’s triumph came after leading only the final lap of the race, making him the 44th driver to achieve this honor in the prestigious event.
Race Highlights
Reddick’s victory ends a 38-race winless streak and is his ninth career win in just 219 Cup Series starts. His previous win occurred at Homestead-Miami Speedway on October 27, 2024. Notably, all of Reddick’s Cup wins have been collected at different tracks, placing him among legends like Kyle Busch, Jeff Gordon, and Bill Elliott. He is the fourth driver in the modern era to earn his first nine victories across nine distinct tracks.
2026 Daytona 500 Results
The race saw a record of 25 leaders and an impressive 65 lead changes, ranking as the second most in history, just shy of the 74 lead changes witnessed in 2011. Reddick’s performance is particularly remarkable as he also led the only lap to win at Homestead-Miami Speedway earlier.
Top Finishers
- 1. Tyler Reddick, No. 45 Toyota
- 2. Ricky Stenhouse Jr., No. 47 Chevrolet
- 3. Joey Logano, No. 22 Ford
- 4. Chase Elliott, No. 9 Chevrolet
- 5. Brad Keselowski, No. 6 Ford
- 6. Zane Smith, No. 38 Ford
- 7. Chris Buescher, No. 17 Ford
- 8. Riley Herbst, No. 35 Toyota
- 9. Josh Berry, No. 21 Ford
- 10. Bubba Wallace, No. 23 Toyota
Notable Statistics
This victory marks the first Daytona 500 win for 23XI Racing, a team that has now reached a total of 10 career victories. Michael Jordan, a well-known basketball icon with six NBA championships, celebrates this significant win alongside three-time Daytona 500 champion Denny Hamlin, who embraced his first victory as a team owner.
Toyota, which backed Reddick, secured its fourth Daytona 500 win, further solidifying its place in racing history. The 2026 Daytona 500 will be remembered not just for the thrills of the race but for the enduring legacy it contributes to both the sport and its champion.
