In a thrilling finish to the 68th running of the Daytona 500, Tyler Reddick claimed victory in NASCAR's crown jewel event on Sunday, marking a significant milestone for 23XI Racing co-owner Denny Hamlin. Hamlin, already a three-time winner of the Great American Race as a driver, celebrated the triumph as an owner, calling it a balm for the disappointments of his own race day performance.
The race, held at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Florida, unfolded under the watchful eyes of thousands of fans, with Reddick securing the checkered flag in a dramatic last-lap maneuver. Running fourth down the backstretch, Reddick capitalized on a push from his 23XI Racing teammate Riley Herbst to surge forward. As race leader Chase Elliott approached Turn 3, Zane Smith appeared to ease off the throttle, creating an opening. Reddick darted to the outside, then crossed over to the bottom of the track down the frontstretch, edging past Elliott to win by a narrow margin.
Hamlin, who finished the race in a position that left him stung by the outcome, was among the first to congratulate Reddick after crossing the finish line. Speaking on Monday's Actions Detrimental podcast, Hamlin reflected on the dual emotions of the day. “It’s great,” he said. “It certainly makes up for the sting of the race. The day was more good than bad.”
Details of the victory were still fresh in Hamlin's mind as he dissected the final moments. Team officials informed him of Reddick's win immediately after his own car crossed the line, prompting an initial wave of surprise. “The first thing I was thinking was, ‘I wonder how that happened?’” Hamlin recounted. He praised Reddick's instincts, noting how the driver "created a run" through Turns 3 and 4. “I looked at how he got that run through [Turns] 3 and 4, and I was very proud. I was very, very proud,” Hamlin added.
Reddick's path to victory was efficient, leading just one lap—the most crucial one. His strategic positioning behind Herbst proved pivotal, as the teammates worked in tandem during the chaotic final circuit. The win comes at a poignant time for 23XI Racing, the team co-owned by Hamlin and NBA star Michael Jordan, which entered the 2025 season seeking redemption after a challenging 2024.
Last year, 23XI experienced a performance dip, with Reddick notably failing to secure a victory despite clinching the regular season championship. The team faced external pressures, including an ongoing antitrust lawsuit against NASCAR that some observers believe distracted from on-track efforts. Hamlin addressed the potential impact during his podcast appearance, acknowledging the uncertainty but emphasizing the organization's resilience.
“I can’t speak to the guys in the shop and how last year maybe affected them or not. I just know they did their jobs, they were very supportive of us, our staff stuck with us through all the uncertainty,” Hamlin said. To maintain stability amid the legal battle, 23XI leadership took proactive steps. “We did our best to give everyone the security that no matter what, you’re gonna be here. Everyone who didn’t have a work contract, we gave a work contract to in the middle of last year to secure them for at least 12 months past the lawsuit,” he explained.
Hamlin's comments highlight the behind-the-scenes efforts to keep the team cohesive. The lawsuit, filed by 23XI and Front Row Motorsports, alleges monopolistic practices by NASCAR and its parent company, Liberty Media. While the case remains unresolved, Sunday's result has injected optimism into the organization. “We did our best to make sure everyone was taken care of, and they stuck it out with us. But now, certainly, I’m sure a weight is lifted off them. They know the race team is gonna be around for the long haul and when you have results like this, it certainly makes things a lot easier from our standpoint,” Hamlin noted.
“It’s great. It certainly makes up for the sting of the race. The day was more good than bad. … They told me when I crossed the line. … The first thing I was thinking was, ‘I wonder how that happened?’ … He created a run. He created a run, and I looked at how he got that run through [Turns] 3 and 4, and I was very proud. I was very, very proud.”
For Hamlin, the victory adds another layer to his storied Daytona legacy. The 44-year-old driver has long been synonymous with success at the 2.5-mile superspeedway, with wins in 2016, 2019, and 2020. As his driving career enters its later stages—Hamlin has hinted at retirement in the coming years—his role as an owner offers new avenues for achievement. 23XI Racing, founded in 2020, has quickly risen as a competitive force, fielding cars for Reddick and Bubba Wallace, among others.
The Daytona 500, traditionally the season opener, sets the tone for the NASCAR Cup Series. This year's event, delayed slightly by weather concerns but ultimately run under clear skies, featured intense pack racing typical of restrictor-plate tracks. Elliott, seeking his first 500 win, led much of the final stage but couldn't hold off Reddick's charge. Post-race, Elliott expressed respect for the decisive move, though he lamented the outcome.
Broader context underscores the significance of Reddick's triumph. As a driver, he has shown flashes of brilliance, including multiple playoff appearances. His 2024 regular season title demonstrated consistency, but the lack of wins raised questions about 23XI's development program. The team's alliance with Toyota and Joe Gibbs Racing has provided technical support, yet the lawsuit loomed as a wildcard.
Industry analysts, speaking off the record, suggest that while the legal distractions may have played a role, 23XI's core issues stemmed from adapting to NASCAR's evolving car designs and aero packages. Hamlin, ever the optimist, focused on the positives in his reflections. The win not only boosts morale but also validates the team's investments in talent and infrastructure.
Looking ahead, 23XI aims to build on this momentum. The NASCAR schedule resumes with road course events and intermediate tracks where Reddick has historically excelled. Hamlin, meanwhile, will continue balancing his dual roles, driving the No. 11 Toyota for Joe Gibbs Racing while steering 23XI's strategic direction. “Results like this certainly makes things a lot easier,” he reiterated, signaling a renewed focus for the season.
The Daytona victory also resonates beyond the track. For fans, it's a reminder of NASCAR's unpredictability and the human element in team ownership. Hamlin's journey from driver to executive mirrors trends in the sport, where veterans like him are transitioning to front-office roles. As 23XI navigates its challenges, Sunday's success serves as a cornerstone for future aspirations.
In the end, Hamlin's pride in Reddick's accomplishment underscores the collaborative spirit of racing. With the lawsuit ongoing and the season just beginning, 23XI Racing enters 2025 with a Daytona 500 trophy in hand—a symbol of perseverance and potential.