Tyler Reddick has done something to Michael Jordan that possibly no one did to him during his iconic NBA career: leave him in awe.
Reddick raced to his second straight victory on Sunday, winning the Autotrader 400 a week after his Daytona 500 victory. The win marks the first time that Jordan’s 23XI Racing has won back-to-back races, as Reddick left the sports icon speechless following his triumph.
“Holy mackerel. I don’t even know what to say,” Jordan told FOX Sports’ Jamie Little as he took a moment to search for the right words to say. “I can’t say the thing [I want to say]. Tyler did an unbelievable job. The entire workforce did an unbelievable job.”
Similar to on the Daytona 500, Reddick wasn’t the one 23XI driver in rivalry to win Sunday’s Autotrader 400. Bubba Wallace was truly forward of Reddick getting into the time beyond regulation laps, sitting in second place to Reddick’s third-place place. Wallace handed Carson Hocevar at one level throughout the time beyond regulation, however Reddick was in a position to handle his approach to the lead getting into the ultimate lap and did not let up.
Michael Jordan reacts to Tyler Reddick successful the Autotrader 400: ‘Tyler Drove His A** Off’
Jordan had some conflicted emotions, expressing empathy for Wallace that he wasn’t in a position to prevail. Nonetheless, he could not disguise his pleasure as he watched Reddick win back-to-back races.
“Look, I wished [Reddick] to win. I really feel dangerous for Bubba, clearly, as a result of he had an unbelievable day,” Jordan mentioned. “However Tyler drove his ass off, and I am very glad for Tyler. I am very glad for 23XI.”
With the victory, Reddick grew to become the sixth driver to win the Daytona 500 and the next race. The back-to-back victories additionally adopted what was a making an attempt 2025 season for Reddick, failing to win a race. Reddick opened up concerning the difficulties he went by means of final season forward of Sunday’s race in an interview with FOX Sports activities’ Josh Sims, saying he was sick to his abdomen however credited Jordan for serving to him get higher.
The back-to-back wins from Reddick additionally adopted what was a tough 12 months for 23XI Racing. The workforce solely received one race, however made headlines off the monitor attributable to its lawsuit towards NASCAR.
Finally, 23XI Racing was in a position to attain a settlement with NASCAR after spending a number of days in courtroom in December. Now that is prior to now, Jordan is glad to see that his workforce has come out of the opposite aspect racing stronger than ever.
“The fellows labored onerous all summer season. I do know we had our little ordeal, however they by no means gave up, they stored working onerous and that is the fruit of their labor,” Jordan mentioned. “They put forth the trouble and for us to come back out and win the primary two races says quite a bit about our complete workforce.”
