Michael Jordan never tasted ultimate glory as an owner in the NBA, but he might soon in NASCAR. On Sunday, 23XI Racing driver Tyler Reddick dramatically claimed his first NASCAR Cup Series win at Homestead-Miami Speedway to book his spot in the Championship 4, and team co-owner Jordan was thrilled, to say the least.
“Yeah, baby! Yeah! Good job, kid,” Jordan said.
That's one happy boss. pic.twitter.com/gndoIQPTzm
— NASCAR (@NASCAR) October 27, 2024
Redick, who was on pole, won the race in sensational fashion, as he was third entering the final lap. He first passed Joe Gibbs Racing’s Denny Hamlin, who also happens to be the other co-owner of 23XI racing, on Turn 1 and then overtook Team Penske’s Ryan Blaney on the final corner.
That was the kind of clutch performance that we used to see from Jordan on the basketball court during his storied career. The 61-year-old sang Redick’s praises afterward.
“Little kid drove his a** off,” Jordan said. “I’m proud of him.”
Jordan was then asked about that incredible final lap.
“Oh, man, he just let go,” Jordan said. “He just went for it and I’m glad. We needed it. We needed it.”
This was one of the best races of the season. One of my favorite parts was seeing Michael Jordan so happy to be involved in a NASCAR championship,
What was the best part of this race for you?pic.twitter.com/Ytui4ehFk8
— The Daily Downforce (@dailydownforce) October 28, 2024
23XI Racing needed something special from Redick on that last lap and he sure delivered. With that win, the 28-year-old became the second driver to book a spot in the NASCAR Championship Race after Joey Logano. Two more spots are up for grabs for the grand event, which will be held in two weeks at Phoenix Raceway.
Even if Redick doesn’t come out on top there, he has already made Jordan a winner in NASCAR. Back on Sept. 1, Redick earned Jordan his first-ever NASCAR championship by winning the regular season title.
Jordan and Hamlin had announced they were forming 23XI Racing in 2020 and in just four years, the team has started tasting glory. The NBA icon would be keen to ensure they keep tasting it in the years to come.
Michael Jordan Is Scratching His Competitive Itch With NASCAR
Earlier this year, Jordan also saw Redick win at Talladega Superspeedway, in Lincoln, Alabama. Following that triumph, he spoke about scratching his competitive itch with NASCAR.
“I’m all in. I love it. It replaces a lot of the competitiveness I had in basketball, but this is even worse because I have no control! In basketball, I have total control. So, I live vicariously through the drivers and crew chiefs, and everybody. I am very happy for 23XI, 110%.”
For the longest time, it seemed golf was the only thing that solved that little problem Jordan had once he walked away from basketball. Now, NASCAR is doing it as well, even, though, he doesn’t have any control over the outcome.
It’s great to see Jordan enjoying himself as an owner after seeing him be somewhat miserable in that regard for so many years. His time as majority owner of the Charlotte Hornets/Bobcats was a disaster. Jordan selling that majority stake in the Hornets in 2023 and focusing more on NASCAR sure is looking like a great decision now.
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