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Michael Jordan looks on during the NASCAR Cup Series Cook Out Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway on August 31, 2025
Tyler Reddick made NASCAR history on February 15 by winning the 2026 Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway. This dramatic finish delivered a landmark victory for 23XI Racing, the NASCAR Cup Series team co-owned by NBA legend Michael Jordan and Denny Hamlin.
Following the checkered flag, attention quickly turned from the on-track action to a viral Victory Lane celebration involving Jordan and Reddick’s six-year-old son.
A short video of the iconic Daytona 500 ice celebration went viral on social media. In response, Tyler Reddick addressed the moment publicly two days later, offering his firsthand perspective on the post-race festivities and defending the joyful interaction.
Tyler Reddick Addresses The Clip And Defends Jordan
Tyler Reddick spoke about the video during an appearance on Stephen A. Smith’s SiriusXM show. He said he had no concerns about what happened in Victory Lane and described the moment as part of a shared celebration between families.
“From my perspective, I’ve gotten to know Michael and his family very well over the years I’ve been here with 23XI, and I don’t see what other people see when it comes to this. For me, it’s a huge moment; this is the biggest moment of my career. It’s a huge moment for my family and for his family, and I just put that off to the side and think about the look on [Michael Jordan’s wife] Yvette’s face and the whole family and his whole group when they got to victory lane too, and how happy everybody was celebrating together. So, that’s where I’m at with it.”
Tyler Reddick made clear that he viewed the interaction as positive and tied to the excitement of the win. He emphasized the shared joy in Victory Lane and pointed to the reaction of those present during the celebration.
Michael Jordan Shares Emotional Reaction After Daytona 500 Victory
Jordan reacted emotionally after the race while celebrating the Daytona 500 victory with the team in Victory Lane.
“This is what it feels like to win a championship. We’ve built this from the ground up, and to see it pay off like this. It’s indescribable. I can’t even believe it. It’s so gratifying. We had four guys really fighting and helping each other out. You never know how these races will end. You try to survive.”
Jordan’s reaction highlights the often-overlooked teamwork behind superspeedway finishes, pointing to the crucial role Riley’s late push played in the outcome.
“I thought Riley did an unbelievable job pushing at the end. That shows what teamwork can really do. He doesn’t get enough credit and probably won’t, but we feel the love, and we understand exactly what he did.”
Michael Jordan has not publicly addressed the allegations. NASCAR has issued no statements or investigations. With the situation addressed publicly by Tyler Reddick, attention returns to Racing.
The NASCAR Cup Series now moves to Atlanta Motor Speedway, where Reddick will compete following his Daytona 500 victory and early-season points boost for 23XI Racing.
Dogli Wilberforce is a sports writer who covers NASCAR, Formula 1 and IndyCar Series for Heavy Sports. With bylines at Total Apex Sports and Last Word on Sports, Wilberforce has built a reputation for delivering timely, engaging coverage that blends sharp analysis with accessible storytelling. Wilberforce has covered everything from major football transfers to fight-night drama, bringing readers the insight and context behind the headlines. More about Dogli Wilberforce
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