NBA legend and billionaire Michael Jordan has shown he’s just as passionate on the NASCAR track as he was on the basketball court. His co-owned team, 23XI Racing, recently reached new heights with driver Tyler Reddick’s victory at the Homestead-Miami Speedway.
Reddick, driving the #45 Toyota Camry, clinched the win in the Straight Talk Wireless 400 on October 27, 2024, earning 23XI Racing their first appearance in the Championship 4 round since the team’s inception in 2021. This major milestone demonstrated both Reddick’s skill and the deep commitment Jordan has to the sport.
From the moment qualifying began, Reddick dominated, capturing pole position and leading Stage 1. Although he briefly fell to fourth in Stage 2, he was relentless in his pursuit of the top spot, ultimately overtaking Ryan Blaney in the final lap for a thrilling finish.
After his victory, a visibly ecstatic Michael Jordan celebrated on the track, surprising Reddick with a congratulatory hug mid-interview, a moment that quickly went viral with NASCAR captioning it, “That’s one happy boss.” It wasn’t just the fans who noticed Jordan’s excitement—Chase Briscoe of Stewart-Haas Racing joined the celebration on Twitter, remarking on the unique energy Jordan brought to the event.
In the wake of his victory, Reddick celebrated with the 23XI Racing team, toasting to his success and taking in the electrifying moment. Meanwhile, the outcome wasn’t as sweet for Team Penske’s Ryan Blaney, who lost his shot at advancing to the Championship 4 round.
Blaney had shown impressive skill throughout the race, climbing from a P20 start to briefly hold the lead in the penultimate lap. But Reddick’s final lap move disrupted Blaney’s plans, ultimately edging him out by just 0.229 seconds.
Reflecting on the race, Blaney expressed disappointment, noting a critical last-lap decision where he couldn’t secure the bottom lane he wanted. His words painted a picture of how close he came, missing the win by a fraction of a second.
Now, while Reddick sits atop the playoff standings, Blaney faces an uphill climb to qualify in the top four at Phoenix Raceway. As the Championship 4 approaches, all eyes are on Reddick, Jordan, and the entire 23XI Racing team to see if they can bring home NASCAR’s top prize.
