NBA great Michael Jordan, co-owner of 23XI Racing with NASCAR Cup driver Denny Hamlin, heaped praise on Tyler Reddick, who won for the fifth time in nine races in the 2026 season on April 19.

Reddick passed Kyle Larson on the final lap of overtime in the NASCAR Kansas race. Larson, the 2025 NASCAR Cup champion, was attempting to snap his winless streak, which reached 32 races after the AdventHealth 400 at Kansas Speedway.

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Reddick won the first three races of the season − the Daytona 500, Atlanta, and Circuit of the Americas. He finished eighth at Phoenix in the fourth race and 13th at Las Vegas before winning again at Darlington. He finished fourth at Bristol on April 12.

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NASCAR Kansas race best photos. Will Toyota dominate AdventHealth 400?

KANSAS CITY, KANSAS – APRIL 19: Tyler Reddick, driver of the #45 Supply House Toyota, enters his car for the NASCAR Cup Series AdventHealth 400 at Kansas Speedway on April 19, 2026 in Kansas City, Kansas. (Photo by David Jensen/Getty Images)

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Michael Jordan on Tyler Reddick: ‘This kid is on fire’

“This kid is on fire,” Jordan told Fox Sports after the race. “I don’t even know what to say. I don’t know if I can cool him down. He’s unbelievable.”

Hamlin and Larson controlled most of the race. Hamlin led a race-high 274 laps. Larson led 78.

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Michael Jordan, NASCAR team owner of 23XI Racing who won Daytona 500

DAYTONA BEACH, FLORIDA – FEBRUARY 15: Michael Jordan, NBA Hall of Famer and co-owner of 23XI Racing reacts in victory lane after Tyler Reddick, driver of the #45 Chumba Casino Toyota, wins the NASCAR Cup Series Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway on February 15, 2026 in Daytona Beach, Florida. (Photo by James Gilbert/Getty Images)

Hamlin was leading toward the end when the caution came out with two laps to go. On the restart, Larson passed Hamlin on the first lap and separated himself from the pack. On the second lap, however, Reddick made a run to the bottom of the track and passed Larson.

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Larson pulled back up next to Reddick briefly before Reddick pulled away, coming around Turns 3 and 4 on the way to his 13th career win.

“That was an unbelievable last couple of laps,” Jordan said. “I’m proud of him. I’m proud of the whole team − 23XI, all the guys drove well.”

Reddick, who only led for 10 laps, was also the polesitter.

Reach Mike Organ at 615-259-8021 or on X @MikeOrganWriter.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: What Michael Jordan said of Tyler Reddick after NASCAR Kansas race win

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