The 2026 NASCAR Cup Series season started in a big way on Sunday.
Tyler Reddick of 23XI Racing took home the checkered flag at the Daytona 500 on Sunday evening. Reddick gave 23XI Racing co-owners Michael Jordan and Denny Hamlin a huge victory. Jordan was particularly thrilled following his driver’s huge win on Sunday evening.
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“Just incredible how it all played out. Just true Daytona madness,” Reddick said. “I’ve already lost my voice from screaming. Never thought I’d be Daytona 500 champion.”
Jordan, who won six NBA championships, added: “It feels like I won a championship, but until I get my ring, I won’t even know.”
Nov 1, 2025; Avondale, Arizona, USA; NASCAR Cup Series driver Denny Hamlin (11) during qualifying at Phoenix Raceway. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images© Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images
(© Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images)
Bubba Wallace, who also drives for 23XI Racing, had a disappointing finish. However, he was happy for his team.
“I don’t want my emotions to take away from the monumental day they just accomplished. Happy birthday, MJ. That’s a massive birthday present,” Wallace said, per ESPN. “I thought this was our week, the best 500 I’ve ever had, and come up short, sucks.
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“Led a lot of laps, lap leader, I believe. It was a good day for us, but damn. Try again next year.”
Hamlin, meanwhile, calls for change
Hamlin, whose 23XI Racing was involved in a lawsuit over the offseason, is calling for NASCAR to get back to where it was in the 1990s and 2000s.
He thinks the sport has lost its way.
“We have to figure out how we can get this sport back where it was decades ago,” he said immediately following the Daytona 500.
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What has to change for NASCAR in order for the sport to do better moving forward in the years to come?
This story was originally published by The Spun on Feb 16, 2026, where it first appeared in the NASCAR section. Add The Spun as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
