Tyler Reddick has etched his name into NASCAR history by clinching his third consecutive victory to kick off the 2026 season, a feat that 23XI Racing co-owner Michael Jordan attributes to both the talented driver and his dedicated team.
“Listen,” the jubilant billionaire exclaimed from the pit row following the DuraMAX Texas Grand Prix, “I just provide the funding.”
Even though he admitted to being a ‘competitor,’ the 63-year-old basketball legend emphasized the contributions of Reddick and the team assembled by 23XI co-owner and fellow racer, Denny Hamlin.
“I’m incredibly proud of the team we’ve assembled,” Jordan shared. “Denny, I’m certain, feels similarly. He deserves a lot of the credit for discovering Tyler… Denny has done a phenomenal job in shaping this team, and I believe this team has excelled in embracing leadership and achieving victories. That’s the essence—winning.”
Having experienced threepeat victories himself, Jordan was particularly struck by the team’s ability to secure a third straight win.
Jordan celebrates with driver Tyler Reddick after the team’s third straight win to start 2026
Reddick embraces Jordan in Austin, Texas on Sunday following his third consecutive win
“Tyler faced the most pressure, probably,” Jordan remarked. “Everyone anticipated—or at least hoped—he could pull off three consecutive wins. That’s the toughest one to achieve, you know. He remained committed to his strategy, and the team crafted an exceptional car.”
Following Reddick’s win, NASCAR posted a picture of a high-fiving Jordan on X with the caption: ‘MJ celebrates another three-peat.’
Reddick won the season-opening Daytona 500 and a week later at Atlanta, then won from the pole in the first road course race of the year.
Jordan, the basketball Hall of Famer and six-time NBA champion, was with Reddick’s 23XI pit crew exchanging high fives as Reddick crossed the finish line.
‘It’s one race, but it was so important,’ Reddick said. ‘It’s so fitting to get three in a row and make history.’
History made for a team and ownership group that has been making a lot of it.
They took on NASCAR with a federal antitrust lawsuit. The settlement in December was considered a major legal victory that secured a permanent franchise-style model and ensured the team would remain in business for the long-term.
They’ve been unbeatable on the race track ever since.
Beau Reddick, the son of Tyler Reddick, celebrates on his fathers car in victory lane
Reddick’s 11th career victory was also his second at COTA, a track built for Formula 1
Jordan said he’ll be at the next race in Phoenix to see if Reddick can extend the winning streak that has built a commanding 70-point lead in the drivers’ championship.
Shane Van Gisbergen, who won five of six road course races in 2025, lost his bid for a record-tying sixth consecutive road win. The only road course race the Trackhouse driver didn’t win last season was in Austin.
‘Tyler was just amazing,’ Van Gisbergen said. ‘You’re always disappointed with second when the expectations are so high.’
Reddick was just too good all weekend in pursuit of history. His 11th career victory was also his second at COTA, a track built for Formula 1, and the first time he’s had multiple victories at a track. He won at COTA in 2023.
It was far from easy, even if Reddick looked like he was in complete control. Van Gisbergen was on his bumper for several laps in the final stage, but never found the pace to pass before falling farther and farther behind over the final six laps.
‘I was just trying to minimize mistakes, Shane is so good,’ Reddick said.
Jordan, so clutch in his playing days, noted Reddick was cool in the driver’s seat while under immense pressure.
‘You see SVG coming back, you get a little nervous, but I think he had him covered the whole day,’ Jordan said.
