Nearly every NASCAR race at Talladega has had a memorable finish. The track has become known for delivering at the end, much like Michael Jordan. This was certainly the case yesterday (April 21) when Tyler Reddick edged Brad Keselowski by two-tenths of a second at the finish line.
There was so much happening on the final lap of the race. A block gone wrong, cars upside down and sideways, a Playoff spot on the line, and a monumental streak nearly ended. What many did not notice in all of this was the presence of arguably the greatest basketball player of all-time celebrating with his team.
Jordan started 23XI Racing with Denny Hamlin four years ago. It was a surprise to many, but not to those that knew Jordan’s childhood. The six-time NBA champion held a special place in his heart for NASCAR, attending many races as a child. This was the sixth win for the organization, but the first one that Jordan had been able to celebrate at the track.
Hamlin often said that Jordan being at the track was bad luck, but like he often did on the court, MJ turned the tables. “Denny keeps saying I was bad luck when I come to the track, and today I proved him wrong,” Jordan told Jamie Little of FOX Sports after the race.
Jordan usually would only attend 10-12 races per year, but after he sold his majority stake in the Charlotte Hornets last year, he has spent more time at the track. Without basketball in his life, Jordan needed something to fill the competitive void. He has certainly found that with this team.
“This is NBA Playoffs time right now, so to me this is like an NBA Playoff game. I am so excited obviously for the fans and the sport itself. For us to win a big race like this, it means so much to me for the effort the team has done, and I’m all in. I love it. It replaces a lot of the competitiveness I had in basketball.” Jordan celebrated in victory lane with Reddick’s son, Beau.
More than a quarter-century ago, Jordan won the last of his six titles, five MVPs, and record 10 scoring titles. He may not have had the same success in baseball, but he has built something special in NASCAR. The two-car team with Reddick and Bubba Wallace continues its upward trajectory.
The celebrations on pit road and victory lane. The cars draped in the Jordan brand logos. The moments with the drivers and kids that continue to adore him. These are legacy moments for the sport.
Toyota Comeback, Ford Fumbles Win
The thrilling finish locked Reddick into the Playoffs for a second consecutive year. It was a comeback win of sorts for Toyota, which also seemed like a Jordan specialty.
Six Toyota drivers had lined themselves up to make a run to the front after pit stops, when it all fell apart in the blink of an eye. The bumpy track got them out of alignment, and four of them ended up crashing. Two of those drivers were Reddick’s teammate (Wallace), and the team co-owner (Hamlin).
Ford had its first win of the season in sight, as Michael McDowell, Noah Gragson, and Keselowski were battling coming to the line. McDowell’s futile block attempts created carnage, and Reddick was able to squeeze through to take the win from them.
Keselowski almost ended a 107-race winless streak, but fell just short by inches. Ford took the pole position and won the first two stages, but failed to win once again.
Erik Jones Health Update
One of the drivers involved in the Toyota crash was Erik Jones. The Legacy Motor Club driver had a serious impact on the outer wall at a bad angle. Jones went to a local hospital after complaining about back pain. The good news is that he was discharged from UAB University Hospital overnight and went back to his home in North Carolina.
Only time will tell if Jones will be ready to race at Dover next weekend. If he can't race, the team has other options apart from Jimmie Johnson.
Corey Heim is a backup driver for Legacy and has spent a lot of time in the team's simulator. They also have Trevor Bayne in a coaching/advisory role if they want someone with more Cup experience in the car.
