Tyler Reddick Wins Dramatic 2026 Daytona 500 After Thrilling Last-Lap Pass

Tyler Reddick powered the No. 45 23XI Racing Toyota to a dramatic victory in the 2026 Daytona 500 on Sunday afternoon, snatching the lead in the final few hundred feet to secure the biggest win of his NASCAR Cup Series career. Reddick patiently stalked the draft during a tense green–white–checker finish, then timed his last-lap run perfectly, side-drafting off the high line before shooting past the leaders as the field thundered under the checkered flag. The triumph delivers 23XI Racing its first Daytona 500 trophy and gives Toyota its third win in The Great American Race in the past five seasons. Key takeaways • First Daytona 500 win: Reddick adds a crown-jewel victory to a résumé that already includes four Cup Series wins on road courses and intermediates. • Playoff security: The 28-year-old virtually locks himself into the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs just one race into the 36-event schedule. • 23XI milestone: Co-owners Michael Jordan and Denny Hamlin celebrate their organization’s biggest statement since debuting in 2021, validating their off-season switch to the new Toyota Camry XSE. Why this win matters 1. Momentum for the West Coast swing: Reddick heads to Atlanta and Austin carrying max points and the early championship lead, positioning the No. 45 team as a title favorite. 2. Silencing contract chatter: Rumors circulated all winter about Reddick’s long-term future with 23XI Racing; a Daytona 500 win strengthens his bargaining power and could accelerate an extension. 3. Growing fan interest: Reddick’s aggressive but calculated superspeedway style—and the photo-finish highlight reel—are already lighting up social media, pushing his name to the top of Monday-morning search trends. What’s next The series shifts to Atlanta Motor Speedway next Sunday for a 400-mile event on the high-banked 1.5-mile oval. Reddick scored top-fives there in 2024 and 2025, and another strong run could further entrench him atop the standings as the field adapts to NASCAR’s new aero tweaks for 2026. Search-friendly quick facts • Race: 68th Daytona 500 (February 15, 2026) • Winner: Tyler Reddick, No. 45 Toyota, 23XI Racing • Margin of victory: 0.036 seconds • Laps led: 13 of 202 • Career Cup wins: 5 • Next race: Atlanta Motor Speedway, February 22, 2026 With his name now etched on the Harley J. Earl Trophy, Tyler Reddick has vaulted from perennial dark horse to headline star—and the 2026 NASCAR season has its first defining moment.