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Magic Johnson sent a heartfelt congratulations to his longtime friend Michael Jordan after 23XI Racing cemented its place in NASCAR history. Tyler Reddick captured his unprecedented third consecutive victory this past Sunday at Circuit of The Americas, a stunning achievement that left the sports world in awe. The accomplishment marked the first time ever any driver won the opening three races of a NASCAR Cup Series season.
🔥 Quick Facts
- Magic Johnson’s Post: Congratulated Jordan on X just hours after the historic COTA win
- Reddick’s Achievement: Won the Daytona 500, EchoPark Speedway, and Circuit of The Americas in first three races
- Points Lead: Reddick holds commanding 58 points in standings, 70-point margin over nearest competitor
- Historic Milestone: 23XI Racing first team since 1963 Petty Enterprises to sweep first three races of season
Magic Johnson Sends Tribute to Championship Team
Magic Johnson, the legendary NBA icon with 4.8 million X followers, posted an enthusiastic message celebrating Michael Jordan‘s racing empire. The post read, “I want to congratulate my friend Michael Jordan once again! His 23XI Racing team won its 3 straight NASCAR race to start the 2026 season.” Johnson’s timely tribute highlighted the respect between two basketball royalties now dominating different motorsports landscapes. The message resonated across sports media, garnering 3,500+ likes within hours of publication.
The acknowledgment underscored what has become one of NASCAR’s most impressive ownership stories. Jordan and co-owner Denny Hamlin have built 23XI Racing into an instant powerhouse. With Reddick at the helm, the team has exceeded all expectations in 2026, proving that invested ownership and world-class driver talent create unstoppable momentum in motorsports.
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Reddick’s Historic Triple Crown Victory
Tyler Reddick etched his name into NASCAR lore by holding off championship contender Shane van Gisbergen at COTA on Sunday. The 2.4-mile, 17-turn road course presented one of NASCAR’s greatest challenges, yet Reddick navigated it flawlessly. He captured pole position on Saturday and led a race-high 58 laps en route to his victory. The margin of victory was substantial, nearly four seconds ahead of the hard-charging New Zealander.
What makes this achievement more remarkable is the quality of competition Reddick defeated. Van Gisbergen had won five consecutive road-course races before this defeat. Ryan Blaney, the 2023 series champion, consistently pressured Reddick throughout the race. Yet Reddick’s performance was nearly flawless, executing pit strategy perfectly and maintaining car control through the demanding technical sections. His composure under pressure cemented his status as NASCAR’s elite driver.
23XI Racing’s Unprecedented Dominance
Race
| Event | Location | Winner |
| Race 1 | Daytona 500 | Tyler Reddick |
| Race 2 | EchoPark Speedway | Tyler Reddick |
| Race 3 | Circuit of The Americas | Tyler Reddick |
| Championship Points | Reddick Lead | 58 points |
The statistics tell an astounding story of dominance. 23XI Racing became the first organization since 1963 Petty Enterprises to win the first three races of a season. This is no small feat considering the modern NASCAR landscape emphasizes parity and competitive balance. Reddick’s 70-point lead over second-place finisher Bubba Wallace (23XI’s other driver) is unprecedented early in the season. The closest competition behind him shows Chase Elliott and Ryan Blaney separated by just 14 points, illustrating Reddick’s commanding advantage.
Denny Hamlin, 23XI co-owner and veteran masterclass tactician, praised Reddick’s completeness as a driver. Hamlin stated that while the team works on improving Reddick’s short-track performance, he remains more complete across all disciplines than Hamlin himself. This endorsement from Hamlin carries significant weight, coming from a driver who has competed at the highest levels for over a decade.
Michael Jordan Relishing His Racing Legacy
Michael Jordan, the six-time NBA champion, has witnessed all three victories in person. His presence at trackside for each race demonstrates his deep investment in 23XI Racing’s success. Jordan knows about three-peats intimately, having orchestrated two championship trilogies in Chicago during the 1990s. But as an owner, experiencing this kind of dominance appears to bring equal satisfaction.
“Tyler came in with the most pressure. Everybody expected him to have a chance to win three in a row, and that’s the hardest one to win. He kept to his strategy, and man, the guys put together a great car.”
— Michael Jordan, 23XI Racing Co-Owner
Jordan credited crew chief Billy Scott for exceptional race-calling and emphasizing the competitive quality that Reddick had defeated. The fact that van Gisbergen mounted a serious challenge late in the race only heightened the achievement in Jordan’s mind. Jordan’s ownership approach differs markedly from typical absentee ownership, showing that competitive fire still burns bright in the basketball legend.
What Lies Ahead for Reddick and 23XI?
Reddick now enters uncharted territory in his assault on NASCAR history. The next milestone is four consecutive wins, something Jimmie Johnson last accomplished in 2007. With his massive 70-point cushion and proven excellence across multiple track types, Reddick cannot be overlooked as a championship favorite. The question becomes whether he can maintain this breakneck pace or if competitors will close the gap as the season progresses.
23XI Racing‘s emergence signals a potential power shift in NASCAR’s competitive landscape. The influx of resources, combined with top-tier driver talent and ownership commitment, has created a championship-caliber organization in remarkably short order. Whether this early dominance proves sustainable or competitors develop countermeasures remains to be seen, but undeniably, Magic Johnson’s congratulatory message to Michael Jordan was well-deserved recognition of an extraordinary achievement in motorsports.
Sources
- NASCAR.com – Official analysis and race results for Circuit of The Americas 2026
- ClutchPoints – Verified Magic Johnson’s social media congratulations to Michael Jordan
- Fox Sports – Michael Jordan’s statements and Tyler Reddick’s historic performance breakdown
