In a finish that will be replayed for decades, Tyler Reddick etched his name into NASCAR history on Sunday, dodging a massive final-lap wreck to secure the 68th annual Daytona 500. The 23XI Racing driver, who led only the final lap of the 200-lap marathon, navigated through a cloud of smoke and debris to claim his first Harley J. Earl Trophy. It was a career-defining moment for Reddick and a monumental victory for team co-owner Michael Jordan, whose No. 45 Toyota Camry XSE crossed the line just inches ahead of a charging Ricky Stenhouse Jr.

Reddick Survives the "Big One" to Claim Victory

The 2026 NASCAR Cup Series season opener lived up to its reputation for unpredictability. As the field roared down the backstretch on the final lap, fan-favorite Chase Elliott held the lead, seemingly poised to capture his first Great American Race. However, contact at the front of the pack triggered a chaotic chain reaction that collected multiple contenders. Tyler Reddick, running fourth at the time, made a split-second decision to dive low, narrowly avoiding the spinning No. 9 car and the ensuing pileup.

"Just true Daytona madness," Reddick said in Victory Lane, his voice already hoarse from screaming over the radio. "I saw the 9 get turned and just closed my eyes and gassed it. I didn't know if I'd clear it, but somehow we came out the other side with the lead. I never thought I'd be a Tyler Reddick Daytona 500 winner, but here we are."

The last lap crash Daytona 500 reshuffled the entire top ten in seconds. While Elliott and others were swept up in the carnage, Reddick emerged with a clear path to the checkered flag, though he had to fend off a ferocious run from 2023 winner Ricky Stenhouse Jr. and three-time champion Joey Logano in the sprint to the line.

Michael Jordan's Ultimate Birthday Present

For NBA legend and 23XI Racing co-owner Michael Jordan, the victory was an early birthday gift unlike any other. Jordan, who turns 63 this Tuesday, was seen jubilantly celebrating on the pit box before rushing to the track to embrace his driver. This win marks the first Daytona 500 victory for the 23XI organization since its inception.

"It feels like I won a championship," Jordan told reporters, beaming as he helped hoist the trophy. "To see 23XI Racing Tyler Reddick come through in that moment, with all the pressure, it’s incredible. I’ve got my ring now."

The win underscores the rapid ascent of 23XI Racing. Alongside Reddick's triumph, teammate Bubba Wallace ran a strong race, leading laps in Stage 2 before getting shuffled back to finish 10th. Riley Herbst, the team's third entry, also secured a top-10 result, finishing 8th, validating the organization's strength at superspeedways.

2026 Daytona 500 Highlights Today: A Day of Attrition

The 2026 NASCAR Cup Series results will show Reddick as the winner, but the race was characterized by intense attrition and a record-breaking 25 different lap leaders. The intensity ramped up late in the race, with the field running three-wide for much of the final stage. The aggressive racing led to several incidents, including a multi-car wreck with nine laps to go that involved Denny Hamlin and Christopher Bell, setting up the dramatic overtime finish.

Top 5 Finishers

  • 1. Tyler Reddick (23XI Racing)
  • 2. Ricky Stenhouse Jr. (JTG Daugherty Racing)
  • 3. Joey Logano (Team Penske)
  • 4. Chase Elliott (Hendrick Motorsports) - retained position due to caution freeze
  • 5. Brad Keselowski (RFK Racing)

Joey Logano, who finished third, expressed frustration but acknowledged the nature of the beast. "We were in the right spot, just got unlucky with the lane choice when the wreck started," Logano said. "But that's Daytona. You have to be there at the end to have a shot, and we were."

NASCAR Season Opener 2026 Sets the Tone

Reddick’s victory guarantees him a spot in the NASCAR playoffs, taking the pressure off the No. 45 team for the rest of the regular season. As the series heads to Atlanta Motor Speedway next week, the Daytona International Speedway standings currently show Reddick at the top, but the unpredictable nature of the Next Gen car suggests a highly competitive season ahead.

This year’s 500 proved that the gap between the field continues to shrink. With teams like JTG Daugherty and RFK Racing showing race-winning speed alongside powerhouses like Hendrick and Gibbs, the NASCAR season opener 2026 has set the stage for one of the most open championship battles in recent memory.