Tyler Reddick leads Dayton 500 by one lap, earns Michael Jordan ring – The Mercury News

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — Tyler Reddick won the Daytona 500 in Michael Jordan’s car when Chase Elliott crashed as he and Reddick battled for victory in the NASCAR debut.

Reddick, in the 23XI Racing Toyota, led just one lap on Sunday: to the checkered flag for the team owned by NBA Hall of Famer and three-time Daytona 500 winner Denny Hamlin.

“It’s amazing how it all happened. It’s true Daytona madness,” said Reddick, the 25th driver to lead a lap in a new Daytona 500 record. “I’m already speechless from screaming. I never thought I’d be a Daytona 500 champion.”

And Jordan, who met Reddick in victory lane for a bear hug before jointly hoisting the Harley J. Earl trophy. Jordan, who turns 63 on Tuesday, will receive a Daytona 500 ring on his birthday and made it known on victory lane that he wears a size 13.

“It feels like I won the title, but until I get my ring, I won’t know,” said Jordan.

Reddick, a 30-year-old from Corning, California, won his ninth Cup Series and first since the end of the 2024 season. Winless last year, Reddick was focused on his infant son, who was diagnosed with a tumor on his chest that touched his heart. Reddick opened last year by finishing second in the Daytona 500.

He snapped a 38-race losing streak with a one-place finish Sunday at the top and won to start a celebration that included many of NASCAR’s stars. Reddick is teammates with Bubba Wallace, who went to victory lane in tears after leading the race for 40 laps before finishing 10th.

“I led many times, I believe, it was a good day for us, but alas. Try again next year.”

Hamlin was once again in victory lane after finishing 31st and falling short in his bid to become a third Daytona 500 winner.

Hamlin, driving for Joe Gibbs Racing, was involved in a final caution when he and teammate Christopher Bell collided with nine laps remaining. It made a final push to the finish over the last four laps.

Elliott was in control on the final lap after leader Carson Hocevar was ejected from the track and it appeared that the son of NASCAR Hall of Famer Bill Elliott would finally win his first Daytona 500.

Instead, Reddick underwent major surgery with the help of teammate Riley Herbst. He beat Elliott and cruised past to give Jordan the win in NASCAR’s biggest event of the year.

Jordan was facing a December antitrust lawsuit that was settled by NASCAR on the ninth day of the trial. The settlement has changed the profit-sharing model at the United States’ leading auto chain.

Jordan watched the victory from the team looking for a high-speed road created by the French family – founders of NASCAR and independent owners – recently hit in federal court. NASCAR chairman Jim France, himself a defendant in the case, went to victory lane to congratulate the winners.

Jordan hugged Wallace from behind and spoke close to Wallace’s ear in a short speech of encouragement.

“I don’t want my feelings to get caught up in the anniversary they just accomplished. Happy birthday, MJ. That’s a great birthday present,” Wallace said. “I thought this was our week, the best 500 I’ve ever had, and I came up short, I sucked.

“I can’t believe it, it was so exciting,” said Jordan with victory. “You never know how these races are going to end, you’re just trying to survive. We hung in there all day. Good team trick, and we gave ourselves a chance at the end. Look, I’m happy.”

The victory marked Daytona’s sweep of the three team owners who had been heavily involved in the lawsuit. Bob Jenkins, who joined 23XI in the NASCAR charge, opened the weekend with a victory when Chandler Smith won the Truck Series opener Friday night for Front Row Motorsports.