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"This kid is on fire" - Michael Jordan praises Reddick after NASCAR Kansas win

Michael Jordan Tyler Reddick NASCAR Kansas Denny Hamlin 23XI Racing

Daytona, Atlanta, COTA, Darlington, and now Kansas: Tyler Reddick is now 5/9 for NASCAR Cup wins in 2026, and 23XI Racing co-owner Michael Jordan has been one of the first people to congratulate him after every single one. 

The NBA legend has been at the track constantly early in the season, and he has been watching from pit road as Reddick earned each of his five victories thus far.

But Kansas was a surprise, even after starting from pole position. Reddick had to battle his boss and MJ's business partner Denny Hamlin in the closing laps, and as he hit the wall while running on fumes, Jordan could only put his hands on his head as the race unraveled for the No. 45.

But just then, a fortunate caution allowed Reddick to regroup and pushed the race into overtime. After a messy restart that saw Reddick almost fall back to fifth, he surged forward, and was running second to Kyle Larson at the white flag. He dove underneath the reigning series champion, and passed him in the final corner of the race.

"I'm racing against Denny, so I really wanted to beat him because I know we are going to talk a lot of trash a little bit later," Jordan told NASCAR on FOX with a smile. "It was a good race. When we started to run out of fuel, I didn't know what was happening, but all the 23XI guys drove well today. We finished -- I think -- all four cars in the top 15, so that says a lot about the program.

This kid is on fire. I don't even know what to say. I don't know if I can cool him down. He's unbelievable. That was unbelievable the last couple of laps, and I'm proud of him. I'm proud of the whole team."

Reddick then handed Jordan the checkered flag as they celebrated their latest victory together. 

"When you win, it's always fun," added Jordan, as Reddick now leads the championship standings by over 100 points.

Reddick has 13 career wins, and ten of those have come while driving for 23XI Racing. 

Photos from Kansas - Sunday

Tyler Reddick, 23XI Racing

Kansas - Sunday, in photos
Chase Elliott, Hendrick Motorsports

Kansas - Sunday, in photos
Shane van Gisbergen, Trackhouse Racing

Kansas - Sunday, in photos
Bubba Wallace, 23XI Racing

Kansas - Sunday, in photos
AJ Allmendinger, Kaulig Racing

Kansas - Sunday, in photos
Kyle Larson, Hendrick Motorsports

Kansas - Sunday, in photos
General view

Kansas - Sunday, in photos
Denny Hamlin, Joe Gibbs Racing, Tyler Reddick, 23XI Racing

Kansas - Sunday, in photos
Denny Hamlin, Joe Gibbs Racing, Tyler Reddick, 23XI Racing

Kansas - Sunday, in photos
General view

Kansas - Sunday, in photos
Chase Briscoe, Joe Gibbs Racing, Brad Keselowski, RFK Racing

Kansas - Sunday, in photos
AJ Allmendinger, Kaulig Racing

Kansas - Sunday, in photos
Ryan Blaney, Team Penske

Kansas - Sunday, in photos
Alex Bowman, Hendrick Motorsports

Kansas - Sunday, in photos
Alex Bowman, Hendrick Motorsports

Kansas - Sunday, in photos
Austin Dillon, Richard Childress Racing

Kansas - Sunday, in photos
Bubba Wallace, 23XI Racing

Kansas - Sunday, in photos
Christopher Bell, Joe Gibbs Racing, Kyle Larson, Hendrick Motorsports

Kansas - Sunday, in photos
Bubba Wallace, 23XI Racing

Kansas - Sunday, in photos
Chase Briscoe, Joe Gibbs Racing

Kansas - Sunday, in photos
Austin Dillon, Richard Childress Racing

Kansas - Sunday, in photos
John Hunter Nemechek, Legacy Motor Club, Ross Chastain, Trackhouse Racing

Kansas - Sunday, in photos
Chase Elliott, Hendrick Motorsports

Kansas - Sunday, in photos
Christopher Bell, Joe Gibbs Racing

Kansas - Sunday, in photos
Joey Logano, Team Penske

Kansas - Sunday, in photos
Kyle Larson, Hendrick Motorsports

Kansas - Sunday, in photos
Kyle Busch, Richard Childress Racing

Kansas - Sunday, in photos
Kyle Larson, Hendrick Motorsports

Kansas - Sunday, in photos
Kyle Larson, Hendrick Motorsports, Denny Hamlin, Joe Gibbs Racing

Kansas - Sunday, in photos
Tyler Reddick, 23XI Racing

Kansas - Sunday, in photos
Michael Jordan, NBA Hall of Famer and co-owner of 23XI Racing

Kansas - Sunday, in photos
Tyler Reddick, 23XI Racing

Kansas - Sunday, in photos
Tyler Reddick, 23XI Racing

Kansas - Sunday, in photos
Tyler Reddick, 23XI Racing

Kansas - Sunday, in photos
Tyler Reddick, 23XI Racing

Kansas - Sunday, in photos
Tyler Reddick, 23XI Racing

Kansas - Sunday, in photos
Tyler Reddick, 23XI Racing

Kansas - Sunday, in photos
Tyler Reddick, 23XI Racing

Kansas - Sunday, in photos
Tyler Reddick, 23XI Racing

Kansas - Sunday, in photos
Tyler Reddick, 23XI Racing

Kansas - Sunday, in photos
Tyler Reddick, 23XI Racing

Kansas - Sunday, in photos
Tyler Reddick, 23XI Racing

Kansas - Sunday, in photos
Tyler Reddick, 23XI Racing

Kansas - Sunday, in photos
NASCAR Cup
43

 

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