Tyler Reddick and his No. 45 car from 23XI Racing have made history by winning the first three races of the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series season, an achievement never before accomplished in the 77-year history of the series. Their latest victory took place at Circuit of the Americas (COTA) in Texas, where Reddick secured his 11th career Cup win and his first repeat victory at a single track.
The Role of Michael Jordan in 23XI Racing’s Success
Reddick’s rapid rise as a key figure in NASCAR has been supported significantly by his team owner, Michael Jordan. While Jordan is renowned globally for his NBA career and shoe brand, his position in NASCAR is relatively new, having become more visible since the team’s founding in 2021 and a high-profile offseason lawsuit. Jordan himself remarked after the recent race,
“
I just put up the money.
”
– Michael Jordan, Co-Owner of 23XI Racing. Meanwhile, co-owner Denny Hamlin handles much of the operational racing work, with Jordan providing strong financial backing and attracting sponsorships such as the Jordan brand itself.
Since Jordan sold his majority stake in the Charlotte Hornets in 2023, his physical presence at NASCAR events has increased. Remarkably, Jordan attended the first three races of the 2026 season, each of which Reddick won, suggesting a correlation between his attendance and the team’s performance.
Michael Jordan’s Track Attendance and Tyler Reddick’s Wins
Michael Jordan does not attend every race, but the success rate when he is present is striking. Below is a breakdown of Reddick’s eight wins with 23XI Racing and Jordan’s attendance:
- COTA 2023: No
- Kansas Speedway Fall 2023: No
- Talladega Superspeedway Spring 2024: Yes
- Michigan International Speedway 2024: Yes (left early due to race rescheduling)
- Homestead-Miami Speedway 2024: Yes
- 2026 Daytona 500: Yes
- EchoPark Speedway Spring 2026: Yes
- COTA 2026: Yes
Out of these eight wins, Jordan has been at six, including the season-opening trio in 2026, representing a 75% win rate with his presence. As a result, Jordan has committed to attending the next race at Phoenix Raceway to continue this momentum.
“I’LL BE IN PHOENIX!” -Michael Jordan
This statement underlines the belief that Jordan’s presence might serve as a talisman for the team’s ongoing success, boosting morale and possibly influencing outcomes on race day.
Historical and Cultural Significance of Jordan’s Involvement
Michael Jordan’s involvement as a high-profile owner brings added media attention and sponsorship opportunities, raising NASCAR’s profile in broader sports and entertainment circles. The combination of Jordan’s celebrity and Reddick’s driving skills creates a compelling narrative that is capturing fan interest early in the 2026 season. This partnership may redefine NASCAR’s crossover appeal with audiences traditionally more familiar with basketball and other sports.
Carson Hocevar’s Bold New Look at COTA
Amidst Reddick’s winning streak, another driver made headlines with a daring visual change. Carson Hocevar, driving the No. 77 Chevrolet for Spire Motorsports, debuted a dark-themed paint scheme sponsored by Chili’s, reminiscent of the iconic black No. 3 car driven by Dale Earnhardt. The “dark mode” design featured red accents to complement the aggressive look.
Some fans nicknamed this scheme the “Intimindente’” due to its intimidating appearance, perhaps a response to Hocevar’s recent controversial driving against Christopher Bell. Despite starting 12th, Hocevar finished 31st following a late spin on the frontstretch, but his bold aesthetic move caught attention.
Upcoming Challenges and Continuation of the Season’s Momentum
The NASCAR Cup Series now shifts to the arid Phoenix Raceway for the first non-drafting oval event of the year. The race weekend will feature multiple series, including the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series and the ARCA Menards Series, alongside the returning NTT IndyCar Series, marking back-to-back weekends of dual-series events.
Christopher Bell, the defending winner who previously managed a three-year winning streak at Phoenix, will face stiff competition from Reddick, who aims to extend his current winning streak to four. Television coverage for the Straight Talk Wireless 500 is scheduled to begin on FS1 at 3:30 p.m. ET on Sunday, March 8, 2026.
Broader Impact on NASCAR and Sports Culture
Tyler Reddick’s historic start to the season, backed by Michael Jordan’s increasing involvement, represents a critical moment in NASCAR’s evolving landscape. This fusion of athletic excellence, celebrity ownership, and innovative marketing is changing how the sport is perceived and expanding its fan base beyond traditional motorsport circles.
As Jordan continues to attend races and the streak intensifies, this partnership could inspire more crossover engagement and elevate NASCAR’s visibility nationally and internationally. The upcoming Phoenix race holds the potential for further milestones, adding an extra layer of anticipation in what is already an intensely competitive season.
A Quote to Remember
75% of the time, it works every time.
This humorous yet fitting reference by Brian Fantana of Anchorman echoes the statistical trend between Jordan’s attendance and Reddick’s wins, illustrating the unique dynamic motivating this season’s thrilling story.
— Tyler Reddick (@TylerReddick) March 2, 2026
"I'LL BE IN PHOENIX!" -Michael Jordan#NASCAR #DuraMAXGP
— Anthony Damcott (@AnthonyDamcott) March 1, 2026
Three tracks. Three wins. Tyler Reddick and 23XI Racing have made NASCAR history.@JamieLittleTV talks with Michael Jordan after an incredible moment for the team. See you in Phoenix, MJ. 😎🏁 pic.twitter.com/1GhqkrKnUQ
— FOX: NASCAR (@NASCARONFOX) March 2, 2026
Turn this fan-favorite scheme dark.
📰: https://t.co/SwKnCaYJtX pic.twitter.com/eLqIHtXfZX
— Spire Motorsports (@SpireMotorsport) February 24, 2026
