Tyler Reddick opens the 2026 NASCAR season with the biggest win of his career, taking the checkered flag at the Daytona 500 in a last-lap surge.
The victory gives 23XI Racing its first triumph in the sport’s most famous race and immediately puts Reddick at the center of the championship conversation.
The Daytona 500 is more than just the season opener. It often shapes momentum, sponsorship attention, and early playoff outlooks. For Reddick and the team co-owned by Michael Jordan and Denny Hamlin, the result feels like a turning point after a difficult 2025 campaign.
Last-lap move seals historic victory
Reddick, driving the No. 45 Toyota for 23XI Racing, made his decisive pass in the closing moments of Sunday’s race at Daytona International Speedway. He led only the final lap but crossed the line first to win the 68th running of the Daytona 500.
The race featured heavy traffic, multiple lead changes, and late cautions that reshaped the field. Reddick started deep in the pack and avoided several crashes as the race reached its final stretch. He surged forward in the closing laps and slipped past the leaders just before the finish.
The win marks Reddick’s first Daytona 500 title and the ninth victory of his NASCAR Cup Series career.
It also delivers the first Daytona 500 win for 23XI Racing, a milestone for the young team founded in 2021.
The dramatic ending included several incidents in the final laps, which opened the door for Reddick’s late charge. He held off Ricky Stenhouse Jr. and Joey Logano, who finished second and third.
Emotional reactions from team and driver
After the race, Reddick described the victory as especially meaningful following a winless 2025 season. He noted the pressure of driving for a high-profile team and said the result felt like validation for the entire crew.
Team co-owner Michael Jordan celebrated enthusiastically in victory lane, calling the moment one of the most exciting of his time in motorsports. The win gives the organization its first Daytona 500 trophy and a major boost in visibility at the start of the year.
What happens next
The Daytona win immediately puts Reddick near the top of the standings and secures an early playoff position. It also changes the tone for 23XI Racing after a challenging previous season.
The NASCAR Cup Series now moves to the second race of the year, the Autotrader 400 at EchoPark Speedway in Georgia on February 22.
Analysts expect Reddick to carry strong momentum into the next stretch of races, especially on intermediate tracks where he has performed well in the past.
For now, the focus remains on the significance of the Daytona victory. It gives Reddick a signature win, delivers a historic moment for his team, and sets an early storyline for the 2026 NASCAR season.