Michael Jordan reacts to incredible win by Tyler Reddick over Denny Hamlin, Ryan Blaney at Homestead

Tyler Reddick is onto the Championship 4 at Phoenix on Nov. 10 after scoring the victory in Sunday’s Straight Talk Wireless 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway.

That means that 23XI Racing, in just its fourth season in the NASCAR Cup Series, will be racing for a championship. Reddick is thrilled, yes, but so is team co-owner Michael Jordan. The NBA legend watched from Reddick’s pit stall as his driver made the race-winning pass on Ryan Blaney off Turn 4 on the final lap.

“Almost thought we were gonna run out of gas, but we knew we needed a caution at the end, and anything can happen after that,” Jordan told NBC Sports after the race. “Denny was up there and lil kid drove his ass off. I’m proud of him. He just went for it, and we needed it.”

Tyler Reddick punches ticket to Championship 4

Needed it they did, as Reddick came into the race 30 points below the cutline facing essentially a must-win situation at either Homestead or Martinsville next Sunday. The regular season champion, however, looked to be in a tough spot after having to hit pit road late in the race while leading.

Suddenly, a win seemed out of reach. That was, until a caution came out just a few laps later for Kyle Larson’s solo spin while battling Blaney for the lead. All of his competitors had to pit, and Reddick started the final restart out in front. But with fresher tires, Denny Hamlin and Blaney quickly passed Reddick and went back and forth for the lead in the closing laps.

On the last lap, Reddick went for it. He made the pass on Hamlin and then went up top in Turns 3 and 4 to jet past Blaney and take the checkered flag.

Reddick joins Joey Logano as drivers who have claimed their spot in the Championship 4. The Round of 8 finale at Martinsville will decide the two drivers joining them.