The 2026 Daytona 500 delivered one of the most dramatic finishes in recent NASCAR history, but it also sparked immediate controversy when Chase Elliott accused Tyler Reddick of employing illegal technology in his No. 45 Toyota for 23XI Racing. The accusation came hot on the heels of the race’s chaotic conclusion, where Reddick surged past Elliott on the final lap to claim victory, sending Elliott into the wall amid a multi-car wreck. Fans and observers quickly latched onto the claim, with social media exploding over suggestions of cheating that could have tainted NASCAR’s biggest event.
The race itself unfolded under perfect Florida skies at Daytona International Speedway on February 15, 2026. A record 23 different leaders swapped the top spot 66 times across the 200-lap grind, showcasing the unpredictable pack racing that defines superspeedway events. Drivers navigated massive drafts, aggressive blocks, and several “The Big One” style pileups that thinned the field and reshuffled positions repeatedly. By the white-flag lap, the lead pack had boiled down to a tense battle among contenders including Carson Hocevar, Erik Jones, Ricky Stenhouse Jr., Chase Elliott, and Tyler Reddick.
Elliott appeared poised for his long-awaited first Daytona 500 triumph. The Hendrick Motorsports driver, NASCAR’s perennial Most Popular Driver, inherited the lead after Hocevar and Jones made contact entering Turn 1 on the final circuit. Elliott held the bottom lane tightly, defending his position as the field charged toward the checkered flag. Reddick, running just behind and benefiting from a push by his 23XI teammate Riley Herbst, made a bold move to the inside. The two made contact—described by some as incidental drafting aggression, by others as a deliberate nudge—and Elliott’s No. 9 Chevrolet tagged the SAFER barrier.
He spun and slid to a halt, finishing fourth amid the wreckage that also collected Brad Keselowski and others.
Reddick sailed through unscathed, crossing the line 0.308 seconds ahead of runner-up Ricky Stenhouse Jr., with Joey Logano third. It marked Reddick’s first Daytona 500 win and the first for 23XI Racing, co-owned by NBA legend Michael Jordan and Denny Hamlin. Jordan’s emotional celebration in victory lane—bear-hugging Reddick and hoisting the Harley J. Earl Trophy together—added a feel-good narrative to the outcome, especially after the team’s involvement in a high-profile antitrust lawsuit against NASCAR the previous offseason.
Yet the joy was short-lived for some. Almost immediately after climbing from his car, Elliott expressed frustration over the contact. In post-race interviews, he elaborated, suggesting the move felt unusually forceful and hinting that Reddick’s car exhibited performance characteristics that seemed beyond normal. Social media posts and fan accounts amplified the sentiment, with viral clips claiming “HE CHEATED!” and accusing Reddick of using illegal technology—perhaps modified aerodynamic devices, unauthorized engine tweaks, or hidden traction aids—to gain an unfair advantage in the draft. The rumor mill suggested NASCAR had launched an urgent post-race investigation, tearing down the No.
45 car in the tech center to scrutinize every component.
NASCAR officials, aware of the high stakes, moved swiftly. The series has a strict policy on technical compliance, especially at restrictor-plate tracks like Daytona where rules govern engines, bodies, and spoilers to maintain parity. Inspectors impounded Reddick’s car immediately after the race, conducting a thorough teardown that included checks on the engine, chassis, body panels, and electronic systems. Teams and fans awaited word anxiously, knowing that violations could lead to disqualification, fines, points deductions, or suspensions—outcomes that would overshadow the victory.
The investigation’s results, however, proved surprising to those expecting scandal. After hours of detailed examination, NASCAR announced that no illegal modifications were found. Reddick’s Toyota complied fully with all Cup Series rules. Officials confirmed the contact on the final lap was within the aggressive but acceptable bounds of superspeedway racing, where bump-and-run tactics often decide outcomes. The series emphasized that drafting pushes and minor rubs are part of the sport’s DNA at Daytona, and no evidence supported claims of prohibited technology such as altered restrictor plates, illegal tape configurations, or electronic aids.
Elliott, while disappointed, accepted the findings. In later comments, he acknowledged the intensity of the moment and the fine line between hard racing and overstepping. “It’s Daytona,” he said. “You know you’re going to get hit, and you try to hold your ground. It just didn’t work out today.” He stopped short of retracting his initial frustration but shifted focus to the overall competitiveness of the event.
For Reddick, the win ended a frustrating 2025 season without victories and validated the faith Jordan and Hamlin placed in him. The driver spoke humbly in victory lane, crediting his team and the push from Herbst. “It’s surreal,” he reflected. “To get here right now in this moment, you’re a Daytona 500 champion.” Jordan’s presence amplified the milestone, drawing mainstream attention to NASCAR at a time when the sport seeks broader appeal.
The episode highlighted ongoing tensions in the garage. With 23XI Racing still navigating the aftermath of its legal battle with NASCAR over charter agreements and revenue sharing, some speculated the accusation stemmed from lingering rivalries. Yet the clean bill of health for Reddick’s car quelled the cheating narrative, allowing the focus to return to the race’s genuine drama.
The 2026 Daytona 500 will be remembered for its lead changes, last-lap mayhem, and the emotional highs and lows it produced. Reddick’s triumph stands as a legitimate achievement, earned through skill, strategy, and a bit of fortune in avoiding the wreck that claimed Elliott’s shot. As the Cup Series moves forward, the event serves as a reminder of how thin the margin is between glory and heartbreak—and how quickly controversy can erupt in the heat of competition.
In the end, no illegal technology was uncovered, and the results stood. Tyler Reddick is the official winner of the 68th Daytona 500, a slam-dunk victory for 23XI Racing that delivered Michael Jordan his first taste of triumph in NASCAR’s crown jewel event. The sport’s integrity remained intact, even as passions ran high in the moments after the checkered flag waved.
