On February 15, 2026, Tyler Reddick crossed the start-finish line first at Daytona International Speedway, clinching the prestigious Daytona 500 in dramatic fashion. As his No. 45 Toyota soared ahead, chaos unfolded behind him with several Spire Motorsports cars crashing, but Reddick remained focused and unaware of the turmoil. The win marked a momentous achievement in Reddick’s career and fulfilled a lifelong dream.
Reddick Reflects on a Lifelong Dream Realized
Growing up in California, Reddick had long watched the Daytona 500 with his family, hoping one day to compete in it himself. This victory, achieved on his eighth attempt, was particularly meaningful after a tumultuous day marked by a late-race caution and a fierce restart. Despite losing the lead temporarily, Reddick’s instincts during the final lap guided him to victory.
“I crossed the start-finish line first,”
he recalled in a post-race press event.
“But in the moment, I’m not looking for the flashing yellow lights. It took a couple minutes on the cool-down lap for someone to finally say, ‘Yes, you won the race.’”
Teamwork Key in the Final Moments
The final lap victory was also shaped by Reddick’s teammate, Riley Herbst, who played an essential role in pushing the pace. Reddick credited Herbst heavily, saying,
“I don’t win that race without Riley Herbst. That’s a fact.”
Herbst aggressively challenged Reddick on the frontstretch before making his own bid for the win. Reddick praised his teammate’s efforts:
“Pushing me, then doing everything he could to win it for himself.”
Their strategy, developed during off-season talks, balanced cooperation with competition, resulting in a significant shared triumph.
Overcoming Personal Challenges to Triumph
The win was not only professional but deeply personal. After a winless and challenging 2025, marked by health struggles of his young son Rookie, Reddick found renewed strength as his family gathered for the race. Rookie, now home and thriving, shared the Victory Lane moment alongside his brother Beau, making the occasion even more special. Reddick’s emotions surfaced as he described the experience:
“I got out of the car, and Rookie is getting to experience this for the first time. The crazier it is, he just starts laughing. He’s wild, like his dad.”
Family Support Anchors Reddick’s Journey
Reddick’s family remained a steady force throughout his career highs and lows. Beau joined him in Victory Lane, riding atop the car in a moment destined to be remembered. Reddick reflected,
“We go on the road as a family. Celebrating the wins together, lifting each other in the tough times.”
His wife and sons provided vital support, helping him navigate challenges to reach this breakthrough moment.
“For us to have this moment… it has its own place,”
he added.
The Team Behind the Triumph
Crew chief Billy Scott and team owner Denny Hamlin, both integral to 23XI Racing’s success, shared in the excitement. Scott, who grew up on the West Coast watching races, was overwhelmed by the result.
“It really hasn’t sunk in yet,”
he said.
“To be in contention after all that carnage, and then Riley’s big push… hats off to him.”
The victory reflected the hard work and tough conversations during the off-season, which reinvigorated the team’s focus. “He was all in,” Scott remarked of Reddick, “Tonight shows it.”
Owner Denny Hamlin Sees Special Meaning in the Win
For Hamlin, a three-time Daytona 500 winner as a driver, this achievement as an owner carried a unique significance. After his own late-race crash, Hamlin watched anxiously from the infield, noting the strength of multiple 23XI cars in the race.
“More gratifying than other wins I’ve had. The 500 is just a little different as an owner,”
he explained. Hamlin praised both Reddick’s precise moves and Herbst’s teamwork:
“Tyler making all the right moves, Riley being a great teammate… it was great to see.”
Michael Jordan’s Joy Highlights the Victory’s Depth
Michael Jordan, co-owner of 23XI Racing and basketball legend, celebrated with a radiant smile rarely seen since his playing days. Recalling Jordan’s enthusiasm at an earlier Talladega win, Hamlin had told the crew,
“You guys are the only ones who can bring him that.”
Reddick acknowledged that delivering this Daytona 500 victory was both surreal and significant.
“To give a guy who’s won everything possible a Daytona 500 win… it just doesn’t seem like real life,”
he said. He added that Jordan and Hamlin’s confidence was a driving force:
“They wanted me to drive here, and to deliver in these clutch moments… it’s the stuff you dream of.”
The Win Signals a New Era for NASCAR
This victory occurred amid evolving dynamics within NASCAR following a contentious December lawsuit involving 23XI and Front Row. Despite off-track challenges, teams including Reddick’s and RCR dominated the weekend. Hamlin humorously quipped, “All we do is win,” while acknowledging recent shifts toward greater cooperation. “December was a wake-up call,” he shared, noting that ongoing conversations emphasize alignment and teamwork. He saw Reddick’s dedication in team meetings:
“He was the only one making notes. That’s what we want.”
Reddick’s Versatility Rooted in Dirt Racing Experience
Reddick’s adaptability stood out as a key asset, making him the fourth driver in modern NASCAR history to win his first nine races across different tracks. He traced this skill to his time racing at Ala-Kart in California.
“Every night, the track’s a little different,”
he said. “You prepare for the unexpected.” Hamlin praised Reddick’s loose, aggressive driving style and saw a champion in the making:
“The sky’s the limit. Champion is the easy answer.”
With more road courses and short tracks ahead, Reddick’s potential remains vast.
A Celebrated Moment and the Road Ahead
As confetti rained down and the Thunderbirds performed overhead, Reddick absorbed the magnitude of his accomplishment. His son Rookie laughed amid the excitement, Beau smiled from the car, and Jordan’s embrace sealed a night to remember.
“I’m just really proud of how honest everyone at 23XI was,”
Reddick said.
“We reset, we’re ready to go.”
For a driver who combined perseverance, family support, and instinct, this Daytona 500 win marked more than a milestone—it was the start of something greater in the season ahead.
