When greatness sees greatness, it smiles. And this week, that smile belonged to none other than Michael Jordan.
Yes, the basketball legend was celebrating after Tyler Reddick made NASCAR history by becoming the first driver to win the first three races of a season. Three in a row. No warm-up. No “let me find my rhythm.” Just straight dominance.
If you know Jordan, you know he respects one thing: winning, not trying, not almost and not “we’ll get them next time.” Winning.
So imagine MJ watching Reddick cook the track like it’s a Sunday afternoon barbecue. You just know he had that competitive sparkle in his eye. The same one from the ‘90s, the same one that ruined other teams’ dreams for fun.
For those who forgot, Jordan isn’t just about basketball anymore, he’s deep in NASCAR as a team owner. Yes, Air Jordan went from flying through the air to speeding around ovals. Growth!
And now one of his drivers is out here making history like it’s casual.
Jordan might have a knack for winning, but he passed all the praise to Reddick and his business partner, Joe Gibbs Racing driver Denny Hamlin, jokingly saying: “Look, I just put up the money.”
“Tyler did a good job,” Jordan told telling FOX Sports’ Jamie Little after the race. “He beat some good competition,”
“I’m proud of the team we put together,” he added. “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.”
While Jordan was humble, his prowess as a winner is something that can help Reddick and the rest of 23XI Racing understand what it takes. They’re applying his teachings recently.
“It’s time for change,” Jordan said. “And the guys feel the same thing. Tyler came in with the most pressure, I guess. 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.”
This is historic and we understand Michael Jordan’s celebration.
His win meant that 23XI Racing became the first team to win the opening three races of the season since Petty Enterprises did it in 1963, per NASCAR. Moreso, Reddick (186 points) holds a 70 point lead on fellow 23XI Racing driver Bubba Wallace in second place in the NASCAR Cup Series standings.
For Jordan, this is more than a celebration, it’s validation, proof that his competitive magic translates beyond the hardwood.
From slam dunks to pit stops, MJ is still chasing victories.
And judging by Reddick’s start, he’s catching them.
