Tyler Reddick, who races for Michael Jordan’s co-owned 23XI Racing team, will debut a striking paint scheme at the upcoming 2025 NASCAR Cup Series event at World Wide Technology Raceway near St. Louis. This design honors the Air Jordan 40 sneaker, which launched in July 2025, celebrating four decades of influence in sport, style, and culture.
The new livery prominently features the AJ40 tongue pattern, creating a vibrant connection between NASCAR and the iconic Air Jordan brand. This tribute is one of the most visually notable paint schemes unveiled by 23XI Racing for the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs weekend, symbolizing Michael Jordan’s lasting impact beyond basketball and into motorsports culture.
Design Celebrates Four Decades of the Air Jordan Legacy
The Air Jordan 40 sneaker marks the landmark 40th release in the celebrated Air Jordan series. Its influence over sport and culture is significant, and 23XI Racing’s tribute through Tyler Reddick’s car underscores the intersection of Michael Jordan’s legendary basketball career with the excitement of NASCAR racing. This homage builds on 23XI Racing’s established tradition of blending Jordan’s basketball legacy with motorsports.
Bob Pockrass, a respected motorsports journalist, highlighted this connection by sharing an image of the design on social media platform X, noting the special occasion:
“Tyler Reddick scheme for this weekend commemorates The Air Jordan 40 launched in July. It is the 40th model in the series.”
— Bob Pockrass, Motorsports Journalist
Tyler Reddick’s 2025 Season and Track Challenges
Despite the eye-catching tribute, Tyler Reddick’s 2025 season has been a mix of promising moments and struggles. With one pole position, five top-five finishes, and nine top-ten results in 26 races, he has led 153 laps but has yet to secure a victory this year. Entering the postseason, Reddick sits 14th on the playoff leaderboard, reflecting the gap between his qualifying speed and race outcomes.
Reddick’s season has been hampered by on-track incidents, mechanical issues, and pit lane errors, which have hindered his ability to replicate the success of his breakthrough 2024 season. Last year, he reached the Championship 4 and earned a significant win at Homestead, but in 2025 he faces the challenge of ending a 28-race win drought while maintaining a consistent average finish near 14.9.
Calls for Greater Honesty Within 23XI Racing Amid Legal and Performance Pressures
In light of recent difficulties, Tyler Reddick has openly called for increased transparency within the 23XI Racing organization. He stresses that acknowledging problems candidly rather than masking them with false optimism is essential for the team’s progress and championship ambitions. This plea comes amid ongoing legal disputes between 23XI Racing and NASCAR over charters, adding extra pressure on the team this season.
Speaking to Motorsport.com ahead of the Enjoy Illinois 300, Reddick emphasized the importance of addressing challenges honestly:
“Honestly, where I stand is, when things are not going good, let’s not act like they are, you know. Let’s be real with each other and ourselves. If things are bad, or they are not going well, just pretending they are good is just not a good way to go about it.”
— Tyler Reddick, NASCAR Driver
He expanded on this approach by stating:
“And I feel like we have done a good job of being honest with one another when we have bad days or good days. I just think that being transparent is more important than carrying around this fake positive attitude. So for me, I just feel like being transparent and addressing what needs to be addressed is the right way to go about it.”
— Tyler Reddick, NASCAR Driver
Impact and Outlook for Tyler Reddick and 23XI Racing
Tyler Reddick’s Air Jordan 40 tribute car symbolizes more than just a design change; it reflects the blend of sport and culture embodied by Michael Jordan’s legacy and its influence on NASCAR. While the 2025 season has presented numerous obstacles, Reddick’s call for transparency points to a strategic shift that may help 23XI Racing overcome challenges and enhance performance moving forward.
As the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs continue at the World Wide Technology Raceway, the spotlight on Reddick’s unique car and candid leadership approach suggests a team determined to turn setbacks into future success, all while celebrating a milestone in sports culture.
