While Denny Hamlin’s efforts in the race car ended early at Talladega, his 23XI Racing driver Tyler Reddick picked up the win for him. Reddick raced to his first NASCAR win of the season today in the Geico 500 as he survived a last-lap crash right before the line.
A huge day for 23XI Racing. Denny Hamlin and Michael Jordan were both in Victory Lane for the first time together as co-owners. Reddick’s son Beau got to hang out with MJ and looked like he was just hanging with an uncle having a good time as his dad celebrated the win.
To win with Jordan Brand on the car is massive as well. It’s Talladega! That’s going to be a big win no matter who it is, but for this 23XI group, it is that much more special.
After the race, Denny Hamlin spoke with FOX about the win. As a team owner, he couldn’t be happier for his group.
“Every 23XI win is like watching your kid win,” Hamlin said to Jamie Little. “It always means a little bit more when they do it than when you do it. Certainly, the day was disastrous for us and I’m sitting over there by the tunnel just waiting to head to the airport and the TV is a little bit behind so I’m sitting there [looking around] I can’t figure out who had won until they came back around.
“Man just so excited for this race team and Tyler, Billy, all the guys that really help make this happen. So, it’s great Michael [Jordan] gets to enjoy it. He’s been wanting to be in Victory Lane for quite some time now, and it’s really about how this team’s progressing over time. Yeah, it’s a superspeedway win, but these guys are contending week in and week out and they deserve to win.”
Michael Jordan is great for NASCAR. When his cars win, that’s awesome. Not to mention, it’s the NBA Playoffs and stock car racing has the basketball GOAT at Dega instead of courtside watching games. Seeing Tyler Reddick and Denny Hamlin and Michael Jordan celebrate after the win was so much fun.
The future of NASCAR is in the hands of 23XI Racing. At least part of it. New and exciting teams that are successful and easy to market. That is what will help grow the sport. I think seeing the Jumpman in Victory Lane is going to do a lot to put more exposure on this win.
Was it the most exciting race ever? No. But that was a damn good finish and Michael Jordan got a ton of air time as well. Let’s not forget this put Reddick in the playoffs. He will once again be a championship contender. With one win in his pocket, will we see him pick up more soon?
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