Michael Jordan gatecrashes interview and now has chance to add another sporting title to legacy after NASCAR heroics
Stop if you've heard this before, Michael Jordan is on the precipice of another championship.
Except this time, it's on the asphalt, not hardwood.
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Jordan, co-owner of the NASCAR Cup Series team, 23XI Racing, along with Denny Hamlin, inched one step closer on Sunday to winning his first championship in the sport.
And he can thank Tyler Reddick, driver of the team's No. 45 Toyota.
Reddick out maneuvered Ryan Blaney on the final lap, to win the playoff race at Homestead-Miami Speedway, earning a spot in the NASCAR Cup Series championship race.
Jordan couldn't have been more proud.
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“Little kid drove his a** off," Jordan told NBC Sports, moments before crashing Reddick's post-race interview.
"I'm proud of him. Oh, man, he just let go. He just went for it and I'm glad. We needed it. We needed it.”
Jordan then ran over to Reddick and gave him a huge bear hug, engulfing his driver into his 6-foot-6 frame.
"Yeah, baby! Good job, kid! Man, good job."
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Jordan knows a thing or two about winning championships.
Now he has his eyes set on another.
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Reddick went from third to first in the final lap, taking a couple of big chances for the ultimate payoff.
“We were backed in a corner, man, and we had no other choice,” Reddick told NBC Sports’ Marty Snider. “We did what it took to win this race. We’re fighting for a championship.
“I couldn’t believe (the winning pass). I just knew I needed to get on his right-side door. (Blaney) raced me clean, I appreciate it. Just really, really excited that we’re going to get to have a shot at this championship.”
Throwback to Michael Jordan vs. George Gervin in a one-on-one
It’s the first time in Reddick’s career and in 23XI Racing’s history that the team will be fighting for a championship at Phoenix Raceway.
Reddick was ecstatic and appreciative when speaking about what Jordan has meant to him and the effort he has put into this team as co-owner.
“To be able to reward him with the days like we had today, it's a true honor,” Reddick said.
“It was really cool to see how happy he was. We're all very happy about it.
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“He believed in me. He believes in this team. The people, him, Denny, everybody else, has put together to create what 23XI is. He's put a lot towards it.
"It's really cool in these critical moments to be able to deliver for him and for everybody else that's a part of the team.”
Reddick will look to deliver one more time for Jordan at the Championship 4 at Phoenix Raceway.
If Reddick comes through, then Jordan is going to have to expand his trophy case, and make room next to his six NBA championships.
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