Tyler Reddick wins Daytona 500 after a tense finish at Daytona International Speedway, outpacing Chase Elliott and capitalizing on a chaotic last lap to secure a breakthrough triumph for both himself and 23XI Racing. The intense closing moments dashed Hendrick Motorsports’ hopes for a Daytona 500 threepeat, marking a significant turning point in NASCAR’s crown jewel event.
Reddick’s victory unfolded in spectacular fashion during the final lap. As Chase Elliott surged ahead with a powerful run, Reddick, driving the No. 45 Toyota, received decisive assistance from his teammate Riley Herbst. This teamwork allowed Reddick to overtake Elliott’s No. 9 Chevy on the inside, after Elliott attempted to block the middle lane and maintain the lead. Meanwhile, the No. 35 car tried an ambitious move on the outside, collided with the wall, lost control, and then struck Elliott’s car, triggering a multi-car wreck. This development cleared the path for Reddick to cross the finish line first, earning both his and 23XI Racing’s inaugural Daytona 500 victory.
Chase Elliott Reflects on Missed Opportunity and Final Lap Decisions
Chase Elliott, who had been on the verge of making history for Hendrick Motorsports, was left disappointed by how events unfolded in the closing laps. His remarkable efforts and defensive moves appeared to be enough, but a lack of support in the final sprint ultimately made the difference. Elliott spoke candidly about his heartbreak and strategic choices after the race ended in chaos.
“I just felt like I was going to get crashed if I had tried to throw another move on him. I feel like the best play for me was to try and re-rack and try to get one last shove to the line. But it was the 35, and he wasn’t going to push me, so… then he winds up crashing himself, not pushing me, which then in turn crashed me anyway. Maybe I should have just turned left, wrecked the first time.
Chase Elliott said via Toby Christie/X.
Elliott explained that he faced a no-win scenario on the final lap. After narrowly avoiding disaster with a previous block, he hoped to regroup for a final push but was ultimately undone by events outside his control. The collision with the No. 35 not only cost him a likely win but also left him reflecting on whether any other move could have changed the outcome.
Momentum Shift and Tactical Challenges in the Last Moments
In further post-race remarks, Elliott described the shifting momentum and factors that worked against him in the critical final stretch. He highlighted how quickly the race dynamic changed, with Reddick’s No. 45 Toyota rapidly closing in, leaving Elliott struggling to defend.
“We got way out there and I knew that probably wasn’t going to be good. At some point there was going to be a momentum shift. You just hope that things kind of get busy and another run doesn’t come along, and unfortunately it did. Yeah, I just felt like Tyler was coming so quick. I kind of blocked one direction and he went the other way.
Chase Elliott said.
Elliott acknowledged that once he was isolated at the front without a push from behind, holding the lead at Daytona became a daunting challenge. He realized he was at the mercy of faster cars and aggressive moves from the competition, making it especially difficult to defend against Reddick’s decisive overtake.
“Felt like if I had tried to throw another one I would have been spun out, wall or the inside. At that point nobody’s lifting, and I totally get that. Just obviously sucks to be that close there in the closing lap and have the lead off four and come up short. But I think the momentum had just shifted the other direction and it was just all defense and being on defense in the last lap is tough.
Chase Elliott added.
Elliott’s reflections underlined the unforgiving nature of Daytona, where without help from the draft or a teammate’s push, even the strongest position can evaporate in seconds. As he tried to manage multiple threats from behind, Elliott was left defending desperately, eventually succumbing to the momentum carried by Reddick and the chaos triggered in the high-speed pack.
Significance of Reddick’s Triumph for 23XI Racing and NASCAR
Reddick’s win marks a milestone both for his own career and the rapid ascent of 23XI Racing, the team co-owned by NBA legend Michael Jordan and Denny Hamlin. Securing the Daytona 500 places Reddick in elite company and signals that 23XI Racing’s investment and strategy are paying off at the sport’s biggest stage.
This outcome ends Hendrick Motorsports’ pursuit of a third consecutive Daytona 500 and prolongs Chase Elliott’s wait for an elusive 500 ring. While Elliott expressed disappointment, he and his team remain contenders for the upcoming races in the 2026 NASCAR season, encouraged by their strong performance and resilience under pressure.
The dramatic finish and high-profile names like Tyler Reddick, Chase Elliott, Riley Herbst, and the efforts of teams such as Hendrick Motorsports and 23XI Racing ensure this Daytona 500 will be remembered for its intensity and unpredictability. As NASCAR fans and competitors turn their attention to the next event, the lessons learned from this high-stakes finale will resonate throughout the rest of the season.
Chase Elliott disappointed to come off of Turn 4 with the lead and end up crashed in the Daytona 500. Elliott took exception with Riley Herbst wrecking him, and wondered if he should have just turned left an wrecked before he got to that point. pic.twitter.com/z7peHD9LCt
— Toby Christie (@Toby_Christie) February 15, 2026
