Denny Hamlin, part-owner of 23XI Racing and renowned NASCAR driver, celebrated an uplifting moment at Daytona as his co-owned team secured a dramatic win. Tyler Reddick, driving for 23XI Racing, executed a remarkable run on the final lap of the Daytona 500—a move that Hamlin immediately credited to the enduring influence of Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s racing philosophy, underscoring the impact of strategic racecraft at NASCAR’s most famous track. This Denny Hamlin Daytona 500 influence was evident as lessons learned from legends helped shape a new generation’s victory.
Although Hamlin’s own Cup Series race at Daytona didn’t end in victory as a driver, he left the superspeedway with pride after Tyler Reddick’s sensational final-lap charge. Hamlin noticed distinct similarities between Reddick’s aggressive yet calculated approach and the skillset of Earnhardt Jr., whose mastery in “keeping the run alive” has been a hallmark of superspeedway racing.
Podcast Reflections Highlight the Value of Mentorship in Racing
During his Actions Detrimental podcast, Hamlin detailed how Reddick’s winning maneuver evoked memories of racing alongside Dale Earnhardt Jr. Hamlin observed the importance of building momentum on high-speed ovals, a racing tactic he calls essential for success at Daytona.
“It was just a great job by the 45 keeping the run going,”
Hamlin said. — Denny Hamlin, Team Co-owner
“I preach this to those guys all the time. When you get a run, just find a way to keep it going.”
— Denny Hamlin, Team Co-owner
Hamlin publicly acknowledged that he owes much of his understanding of this aspect of racing to Earnhardt Jr. He recounted how valuable those lessons have been, noting that watching and competing against Earnhardt Jr. taught him to recognize and maintain momentum at critical race moments.
“I learned so much from Dale Jr. back in the day, watching him and racing with him on the ability to create the run and then keep that run going for like two laps,”
he said. — Denny Hamlin, Team Co-owner
How Teamwork and a Key Push Paved the Way for 23XI Success
Reddick’s breakthrough came after a perfectly timed push from teammate Riley Herbst along the backstretch. Herbst’s assist set Reddick up for attacking on the final stretch, turning teamwork into a pivotal moment of individual glory. Reddick’s ability to maintain pace through two late-race wrecks amplified the victory’s magnitude.
“Tyler just really did a great job that final lap of getting the run, and it really kind of started when he got the shove from Riley down the backstretch and just kept it rolling,”
Hamlin said. — Denny Hamlin, Team Co-owner
This win marked Tyler Reddick’s first Daytona 500 victory, putting him in a strong early position in the NASCAR Cup standings with 58 points. For 23XI Racing, co-owned by Hamlin and NBA icon Michael Jordan, it represented a milestone moment in their young but ambitious journey within the sport.
23XI Racing’s All-Around Performance and Owner’s Pride
The Daytona 500 saw all five 23XI Racing entries make an impact. Riley Herbst, instrumental in Reddick’s win, finished eighth, while Bubba Wallace led the most laps (40), claimed the Stage 2 victory, and secured tenth place. This collective performance demonstrated the depth and competitiveness of the 23XI squad.
Hamlin, who has experienced a series of near-misses as a driver at Daytona, watched the team’s triumph unfold from the owner’s side—an experience he described as uniquely rewarding.
“It’s different, but, like, it’s fantastic,”
he said at the post-race press conference. — Denny Hamlin, Team Co-owner
“Certainly, I know the odds of winning here is very, very small, but I also know that this is the most chances I had with five cars, myself, and these four 23XI cars.”
— Denny Hamlin, Team Co-owner
When Hamlin’s own bid for victory ended late due to incident, he focused on the remaining 23XI entries running near the front of the pack.
“To see we had quite a few cars up there for that last restart was fantastic. I knew we had a great shot.”
— Denny Hamlin, Team Co-owner
Legacy and Influence Drive NASCAR’s New Generation
Tyler Reddick’s victory, achieved with a maneuver reminiscent of Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s teaching, brought a wave of excitement and pride to 23XI Racing. It highlighted the importance of mentorship, teamwork, and strategic execution at NASCAR’s highest level. As Denny Hamlin and Michael Jordan’s organization continues to make its mark, the triumph at Daytona 500 underlines the ever-present thread connecting racing’s greats with today’s rising stars—and affirms that lessons passed down continue to shape racing’s biggest moments.
