Tyler Reddick’s Daytona 500 victory has become the focus of the NASCAR community, as he edged out Ricky Stenhouse Jr. last Sunday to claim a historic win for 23XI Racing. Amid the celebrations, Reddick nearly lost one of the most symbolic items of his triumph—the Daytona 500 winner’s ring—making his win even more memorable for fans and his team.
A Memorable Win and a Historic First for 23XI Racing
23XI Racing, co-owned by Michael Jordan, achieved a landmark moment in NASCAR with Reddick’s win, especially following the team’s significant legal victory in the charter lawsuit concluded the previous year. Their impressive performance saw three of their entries finish in the top ten, but it was Tyler Reddick who delivered the organization’s first-ever Daytona 500 victory. This was only made possible with support from his teammate, Riley Herbst.
The Winner’s Ring and Its Unusual First Days
Following the dramatic race, Reddick received both a trophy and the prestigious Daytona 500 winner’s ring. Eager to celebrate, he put the ring on immediately. However, his excitement quickly turned into concern when the ring nearly vanished minutes after he left the media center. Inclement weather and damp conditions almost led to the prized possession being lost for good.
“I leave the media center, it’s raining hard outside, and I go to open the rental car door, and everything seems fine. But when I shut the door, cuz it’s raining so hard outside, like the ring was wet. My fingers were wet from the rain. My ring just came flying. I mean, it went flying like 50 feet across the garage. I’m chasing it to the gutter, trying to keep it from falling into the gutter.”
– Tyler Reddick, Driver
Further Close Calls and a Tough First Week for the Ring
The saga of the winner’s ring didn’t end there. Soon after, Reddick recounted another close call when he met NASCAR figures Kelley Earnhardt-Miller and Mark Martin. During the interaction, the ring again slipped from his hand, highlighting its rough introduction to life off the track.
“And this was when I was just on with Kelly and Mark– the dang ring came flying off again after I gave Kelly a hug. I went and gave Kelly a hug, went to shake Mark’s hand, and there the ring goes again. So, um, yeah, this poor ring’s already lived a rough life.”
– Tyler Reddick, Driver
Reddick’s Relief and Future Aspirations
For Tyler Reddick, the Daytona 500 victory holds significant weight after a challenging 2025 season without any wins. Joining 23XI Racing under the oversight of industry figures like Denny Hamlin, Reddick was brought in to deliver championship-level results, a goal he finally realized with this milestone. The success has eased substantial pressure and given the team momentum as NASCAR reverts to a classic chase format for the upcoming season.
What the Dramatic Victory Means for the Team and Drivers
Tyler Reddick’s Daytona 500 victory, combined with the mishaps involving his coveted ring, have added a layer of emotion and excitement for his supporters and the 23XI organization. For co-owner Michael Jordan, crew members, and fellow drivers like Riley Herbst, the win validates years of investment and dedication. As the season continues, Reddick and his team aim to build on this achievement and remain prominent players in NASCAR’s most competitive events.
