NASCAR’s Tyler Reddick entered the record books with his third straight win to start the 2026 season, and the credit belongs to the driver and his team, according to 23XI co-owner, Michael Jordan.
‘Look,’ the joyous billionaire said from pit row after the DuraMAX Texas Grand Prix, ‘I just put up the money.’
Although he acknowledged being a ‘competitor,’ the 63-year-old basketball icon pointed to Reddick and the crew assembled by 23XI co-owner and rival driver, Denny Hamlin.
‘Tyler did a good job,’ Jordan told Fox Sports in Austin. ‘He beat some good competition.
‘I’m proud of the team we put together. Denny, I’m pretty sure is the same way. He feels the same way as I do. And I think a lot of credit goes to him because he’s the mastermind behind finding Tyler… I think Denny’s done an unbelievable job in terms of helping build this team. And I think this team has done a good job of taking on leadership and just winning. That’s what it’s about. Winning.’
Jordan, who knows a thing or two about threepeats, was particularly impressed with the team’s ability to win a third race in a row.
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 came in with the most pressure, I guess,’ Jordan said. ‘Everybody expected him, or he had a chance to win three in a row. That’s the hardest one to win, you know. And you know, he kept to his strategy, and the guys put together a great 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.
