Michael Jordan is a champion once more, this time in NASCAR.
Driving for Jordan’s 23XI Racing team, Tyler Reddick won the Daytona 500 in dramatic fashion Sunday. Reddick was in fourth place as the final lap began, before taking the lead at the very end amid multiple crashes. He never led other than on the final lap.
It’s the first Daytona 500 victory for Jordan’s 23XI Racing, which Jordan formed with Denny Hamlin in 2020. The win comes days before Jordan’s 63rd birthday on Tuesday, and on the same day as the NBA All-Star Game.
“I can’t even believe it, it’s so gratifying,” Jordan said after the race.
Bubba Wallace, who is also on Jordan’s team, led for much of the race before ultimately finishing 10th. Hamlin also raced, but for a different team, Joe Gibbs Racing—he finished 31st.
The dramatic Daytona 500 finish follows the resolution of what had been heated antitrust litigation between Jordan’s team and NASCAR. 23XI and Front Row Motorsports sued the racing organization in October 2024 in federal court after they refused to sign a charter agreement NASCAR presented to them—those pacts guarantee entry into every race and a larger share of purse money.
Nine days into a jury trial over the antitrust claims, the two sides settled. Full terms were not disclosed, but a core part of the settlement agreement is the establishment of “evergreen” charters—something that 23XI and Front Row actively sought—instead of renewable ones.
Historically, the 36 NASCAR charters have been similar to team franchises in stick-and-ball sports. The value of those charters has also grown, with a sale for one reaching $45 million earlier this year.
While the case was ongoing, the six-time NBA champion’s team and Front Row had raced as unchartered “open” teams. Their suit claimed NASCAR had acted as “monopolistic bullies” that curbed competition by binding teams to its series, racetracks, and suppliers.
Once the suit settled, Jordan made clear he was ready to work with NASCAR.
“Unfortunately, it took 16 months to get here, but I think level heads have gotten us to this point where we can actually work together and grow this sport,” Jordan said after the settlement. “I am very proud about that.”
