Michael Jordan spent his NBA career making the improbable look routine. Six championships. Six Finals MVPs. Two three-peats. Now, more than two decades removed from his final shot in a Chicago Bulls uniform, Jordan keeps finding ways to win.
His 23XI Racing team just won its fourth NASCARCup Series race of the season. Tyler Reddick gutted out a victory at Darlington Raceway on Sunday, overcoming mechanical failures and suffocating heat to beat Brad Keselowski by 5.847 seconds in the Goodyear 400. Through six races, Reddick has matched the territory occupied only by Dale Earnhardt in 1987 and Bill Elliott in 1992.
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NASCAR took to X to give a shout-out to the 63-year-old NBA legend, writing, “MJ keeps on winning.”
How Tyler Reddick Conquered the ‘Lady in Black’
Darlington earned its “Track Too Tough to Tame” nickname decades ago. On Sunday, it reminded Reddick why.
The 30-year-old started from pole position in his No. 45 Toyota and looked dominant early, but problems stacked up fast. His alternator failed. The battery stopped charging. His cool suit died in the South Carolina heat. A slow pit stop dropped him 15 seconds behind the leader.
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Keselowski swept both stages and led a race-high 142 laps. With fewer than 50 laps remaining, Reddick trailed by seven seconds and had every excuse to settle for a solid finish. He didn’t.
Fresher tires from a later pit stop gave Reddick the grip he needed. He ran down Keselowski, made the pass with 28 laps to go, and pulled away for his 12th career victory. His first win at the track that had given him three runner-up finishes.
“I know never to give up,” Reddick said. “I think it’s very fitting that when we finally get our first win here at Darlington that ‘The Lady in Black’ would test us like that. We’ve been so close so many times.”
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Reddick spent most of the race cooking inside a car with no cooling system running. “The battery wasn’t charging at all,” he said. “All day long just not running fans and sweating my tail off inside the race car.”
Michael Jordan Praises Reddick’s Composure
Jordan watched from pit road, knowing exactly how quickly races turn at one of NASCAR’s most unforgiving tracks. When Reddick crossed the finish line, Jordan didn’t hide his admiration.
“I’m pretty sure it’s frustrating for him because he had an unbelievable car,” Jordan said. “You know, you never know what’s going to happen, especially at Darlington. I think that the key to him winning was just keeping his head.”
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Jordan credited crew chief Billy Scott for keeping Reddick calm during the chaos. “We knew we had a fast car,” Jordan said. “We just had to get the car right. And he kept his composure, and he did an unbelievable job.”
Reddick didn’t even know Jordan was at the track until after the race. “I’m even more glad I decided to gut it out, honestly,” he said.
Four wins in six races. A 95-point lead in the standings. Jordan’s winning habit shows no signs of stopping.
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Related: Tyler Reddick Wins the Daytona 500: Michael Jordan Makes History
This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Mar 23, 2026, where it first appeared in the NBA section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
