NASCAR news: Michael Jordan’s driver wins Daytona 500

The 2026 Daytona 500 proves once again that it’s the last lap that matters.

Tyler Reddick, who competes in Michael Jordan’s 23XI Racing, crossed the line in first place at Daytona International Speedway and won the Daytona 500 for the first time in his career. He didn’t lead a single lap until the end.

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Tyler Reddick, driver of the No. 45 Chumba Casino Toyota, hoists the Harley J. Earl Trophy in victory lane after winning the NASCAR Cup Series Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway on February 15, 2026 in Daytona Beach, Florida. (Chris Graythen/Getty Images)

When the final lap began, Reddick was behind Michael McDowell and Carson Hocevar. Hocevar was trying to hold the group back, but Erik Jones crashed into the back of him at Turn 1. McDowell was trapped in the wreckage and drivers slowed their pace.

But no warning flags were flying. Even though Reddick jumped over William Byron, he had to avoid the carnage in front of him. Ricky Stenhouse Jr. He took the lead for a moment, but Chase Elliott took over on the backstretch.

Elliott was racing Zane Smith entering the final turns. Reddick was behind them and Riley Herbst was in fourth place. Reddick rose and moved around Smith. He then stabbed towards the bottom to get around Elliott.

As the group reached the finish line, Herbst ran into Brad Keselowski, causing them both to crash. Elliott and Joey Logano were trapped in the wreckage, and Reddick was the only one to escape uninjured.

Riley Herbst, 35, Justin Allgaier, 40, Todd Gilliland, 34, John Hunter Nemechek, 42, and Ryan Blaney, 12, collided during the NASCAR Daytona 500 auto race at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Florida, on Sunday, February 15, 2026. (AP Photo/John Raoux)

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A great way to start the season for Reddick. He finished ninth in the Cup Series standings last season and finished fourth in the Championship in 2024.

The crash-filled final lap was far from the only action.

A caution was issued on Lap 192 after Denny Hamlin was hit in the back, hit Christopher Bell and then crashed into the wall. Bell suffered damage to his right front tire, which cost him the remainder of his race.

A massive wreck late in Stage 2 killed a handful of drivers. Hamlin and Justin Allgaier made contact on the front end, causing more than a dozen cars to spin and spin out of control. Kyle Larson, Austin Cindric, Ryan Blaney, Joey Logano and William Byron were among those involved.

This was the stage’s second major accident.

Earlier, Chase Briscoe and NASCAR Cup Series rookie Connor Zilisch were involved in a major crash on Lap 85. Zilisch broke free in Turn 4, causing a chain reaction. Cody Ware, Ty Gibbs and Austin Dillon were caught in the accident.

At the end of Stage 2, Bubba Wallace took first place, while at the end of Stage 1, Zane Smith took the lead.

Austin Dillon (3) and Chase Briscoe (19) collided during the NASCAR Daytona 500 auto race at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Florida, on Sunday, February 15, 2026. (AP Photo/John Raoux)

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Reddick, Stenhouse, Logano, Elliott and Keselowski were in the top five. Smith, Chris Buescher, Herbst, Josh Berry and Wallace rounded out the top 10. The last champion, Larson, finished 16th.

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