Tyler Reddick’s Daytona 500 victory should have been the only headline leaving Florida on Sunday, but it was Michael Jordan making headlines.
Instead, alongside delivering 23XI Racing its biggest win, a brief Victory Lane clip featuring team co-owner Michael Jordan and Reddick’s six-year-old son, Beau, quickly took on a life of its own online.
The video showed Jordan celebrating with the Reddick family after the race, at one point appearing to pat Beau on the lower back as the champagne and ice flew in the background.
Some users questioned the interaction, while others suggested Jordan was simply clearing ice that had been shoved down the child’s shirt during the celebrations.
Reddick addressed the clip the following day during an appearance on The Stephen A. Smith Show on SiriusXM, making it clear he did not share the concerns circulating online.
“I don’t see what other people see when it comes to this,” Reddick said.
“For me, it’s a huge moment. This is the biggest moment of my career. It’s a huge moment for my family and for his family, and I just put that off to the side.”
Reddick added that his focus remained on the achievement rather than the reaction.
“[I] think about the look on Yvette’s face and the whole family and his whole group when they got to Victory Lane too, and just how happy everybody was celebrating together,” he said. “So, that’s where I’m at with it.”
A Daytona breakthrough for 23XI
The moment capped a significant day for 23XI Racing, the NASCAR team co-owned by Jordan and Denny Hamlin.
It comes just months after Jordan and 23XI Racing settled a lawsuit against NASCAR.
Reddick delivered the Daytona 500 win after going winless in 2024, producing a statement performance at the sport’s biggest event.
Jordan, who has developed a close relationship with Reddick and his family since launching the team, carried Beau to Victory Lane during the celebrations.
As the ice and drinks flew around the group, some viewers later pointed out that chunks of ice appeared to be lodged in Beau’s back, suggesting Jordan may have been brushing them away.
Either way, Reddick’s message was simple. He viewed the scene as a family celebration, not controversy.
A birthday week for Jordan
The victory also landed during a milestone week for Jordan.
The NBA legend turned 63 on Tuesday, just days after watching his team capture one of motorsport’s most coveted trophies.
His daughter, Jasmine, marked the occasion on Instagram with a message that read: “Happy Birthday to my main mannn! Love you so much daddio. Best Dad/Grandpa ever.”
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