Tyler Reddick Wins Daytona 500 in Dramatic Fashion

Reddick's victory for Michael Jordan's 23XI Racing scores big ratings for Fox Sports

Published on Feb. 28, 2026

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Tyler Reddick, a 30-year-old driver from Corning, California, won the 2026 Daytona 500 in dramatic fashion, passing leader Chase Elliott on the final turn to take the checkered flag. Reddick's victory for Michael Jordan's 23XI Racing team scored massive ratings for Fox Sports, with 7.489 million viewers tuning in - an 11% increase over last year's race and the most-watched NASCAR event since the 2023 Daytona 500.

Why it matters

Reddick's win marks a significant achievement for Michael Jordan's racing team, 23XI Racing, as they continue to make their mark in the sport. The strong ratings for the Daytona 500 also demonstrate the enduring popularity of NASCAR, even as the sport navigates changes and challenges in the industry.

The details

Reddick passed Elliott on the final turn to take the victory, beating Ricky Stenhouse Jr. by 0.308 seconds as the lead group wrecked behind them. Joey Logano finished third, followed by Elliott and Brad Keselowski. Reddick, who became the fourth Daytona 500 winner not to lead until the last lap, said the win was especially meaningful after a difficult 2025 season.

  • The 2026 Daytona 500 took place on Sunday, February 16, 2026.

The players

Tyler Reddick

A 30-year-old driver from Corning, California, who won the 2026 Daytona 500 for Michael Jordan's 23XI Racing team.

Michael Jordan

The owner of 23XI Racing, the NASCAR team for which Tyler Reddick drives.

Chase Elliott

The driver who led the race until the final turn, when he was passed by Tyler Reddick.

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What they’re saying

“Last year was really hard for us, hard for me. When you're a Cup driver and you get to this level and drive for Michael Jordan, you're expected to win every single year.”

— Tyler Reddick (Field Level Media)

“This really sucks to be that close, come off Turn 4 with the lead and not finish it off.”

— Chase Elliott (Field Level Media)

The takeaway

Tyler Reddick's dramatic victory in the 2026 Daytona 500 not only secured a win for Michael Jordan's 23XI Racing team, but also demonstrated the enduring popularity of NASCAR as a sport. The strong ratings for the race suggest that the sport continues to captivate audiences, even as it navigates changes and challenges in the industry.