Michael Jordan’s 23XI Racing team made NASCAR history. Jordan’s driver, Tyler Reddick, won the DuraMAX Texas Grand Prix on Sunday, March 1, to become the first driver in NASCAR’s 77-year history to win the first three races of a season, and the sports world had plenty to say about it.
Sports World Reacts to Michael Jordan’s 23XI NASCAR Team’s Third Straight Win
Reddick won his third straight race to open the 2026 NASCAR season for Jordan’s 23XI Racing. He started by winning the Daytona 500, making 23XI only the second Black-owned team to win NASCAR’s biggest race.
He followed that up with a win at the Autotrader 400 in Atlanta. Then came Sunday’s victory at COTA in Texas. Three races, three wins, all in the No. 45 car for Jordan’s team.
SportsCenter was one of the first to highlight the moment on X.
“Tyler Reddick wins at COTA to become the first driver in NASCAR Cup Series history to win the first 3 races of a season. Reddick is driving for Michael Jordan’s 23XI team.”
The post noted that Reddick drives for Jordan’s team, a detail that turned a historic stat into a cultural moment, and how Jordan’s name has become synonymous with historic wins.
Tyler Reddick wins at COTA to become the first driver in NASCAR Cup Series history to win the first 3 races of a season 🏆
Reddick is driving for Michael Jordan’s 23XI team. pic.twitter.com/R7YYLhiFLT
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) March 2, 2026
NASCAR’s official X handle kept it simple, posting that “MJ celebrates another three-peat.” The reference landed immediately. Jordan famously led the Chicago Bulls to two separate three-peats in the 1990s, winning championships from 1991 to 1993 and again from 1996 to 1998.
MJ celebrates another three-peat. pic.twitter.com/8FBh99UiOS
— NASCAR (@NASCAR) March 2, 2026
Popular X handle Oh No He Didn’t captured the mood of the internet in four words: “MJ 3-peat’ing again!” The post reflected how fans see Jordan’s influence as something that follows him, regardless of the sport.
MJ 3-peat’ing again! pic.twitter.com/gYtMCTVU3Q
— Oh No He Didn’t (@ohnohedidnt24) March 1, 2026
Former NFL quarterback Robert Griffin III went further on X, writing:
“Tyler Reddick is the first NASCAR driver EVER to win the first 3 races of the season. Michael Jordan and 23XI Racing are changing the game and putting everyone on notice.” His reaction carried weight because it framed the streak as more than luck or timing and directly tied to Jordan’s competitive energy.
Tyler Reddick is the 1st NASCAR driver EVER to win the first 3 races of the season. Michael Jordan and 23XI Racing are changing the game and putting everyone on notice.pic.twitter.com/gCTksoVZ9p
— Robert Griffin III (@RGIII) March 2, 2026
He followed that up with a second post: “Michael Jordan and Tyler Reddick are the new faces of NASCAR,” highlighting the unprecedented rise of Jordan’s 23XI Racing team in such a short time.
Huddleup Substack’s Joe Pompliano put the history in plain terms: “Michael Jordan’s 23XI Racing has won the first three races of the NASCAR season — the first time that has ever happened in NASCAR’s 77-year history.”
Michael Jordan’s 23XI Racing has won the first three races of the NASCAR season — the first time that has ever happened in NASCAR’s 77-year history.pic.twitter.com/vAFW1X3OVX
— Joe Pompliano (@JoePompliano) March 2, 2026
Sports media veteran Larry Hawley added, “Another three-peat for Michael Jordan, this time in NASCAR. Huge start to 2026 for 23XI Racing.” His reaction highlighted how quickly the team has moved from intriguing prospect to serious contender.
Another “Three-Peat” for Michael Jordan, this time in NASCAR.
.
Huge start to 2026 for 23XI Racing. https://t.co/Rz8nbBrFsf— Larry Hawley (@HawleySports) March 2, 2026
Emmy Award winner Andrew Jerrel Jones was equally direct: “Michael Jordan out here doing three-peats in NASCAR too,” once again referencing Jordan’s double three-peats during the 90s.
Michael Jordan out here doing Three Peats in NASCAR too. https://t.co/CwaIP2X6hu
— Andrew Jerell Jones, Luke 1:37 (BlueSky too now) (@sluggahjells) March 2, 2026
Team USA Hockey player Danny Healey brought a different perspective. “Michael Jordan dominated basketball, baseball and now NASCAR. Third straight race win for his driver. 3/3 to start the season,” he posted, reminding fans that Jordan once dominated basketball, briefly pursued baseball with the Chicago White Sox organization, and is now seeing success in racing.
Healey’s post emphasized that Reddick’s third straight win made the start of the season impossible to ignore.
Media outlet Awful Announcing also noted the broader spotlight Jordan is bringing to the sport. “So far in 2026, Michael Jordan has been interviewed on Fox more than he’s appeared on NBC,” the outlet wrote. The comment referenced Jordan balancing his NASCAR success while appearing as a special contributor for NBC’s new basketball coverage. With Jordan at the track every week, the attention on NASCAR has never been closer.
Jordan joined the NASCAR action with 23XI Racing in 2020. He grew up attending races with his father, making this a passion project decades in the making. The team now runs three full-time drivers in 2026: Bubba Wallace in the No. 23, Tyler Reddick in the No. 45, and Riley Herbst in the No. 35.
With three wins from three starts, Reddick has to be the early favorite for the regular season championship. And if this start is any indication, Jordan’s 23XI Racing is just getting started.
