Michael Jordan, a legendary figure with six NBA titles, six Finals MVPs, five league MVPs, and two Olympic gold medals, faced a different challenge on Sunday as he aimed to secure a NASCAR Cup Series championship.

Tyler Reddick, the driver for Jordan’s team 23XI Racing, placed sixth in the NASCAR Championship race held at Phoenix Raceway, one of the four finalists vying for the 2024 championship title. 23XI Racing, established in 2020 and co-owned by Jordan and Denny Hamlin—who is a three-time Daytona 500 champion—derives its name from Jordan’s iconic No. 23 jersey and Hamlin’s famous No. 11 car.

Joey Logano won the race, earning his third championship title. His teammate Ryan Blaney, the defending champion, came in second, while William Byron from Hendrick Motorsports finished third. Two drivers who were knocked out of the championship race last week claimed the fourth and fifth spots: Kyle Larson, the 2021 champion, and Christopher Bell, a three-time Championship 4 participant.

“It was a solid year for us,” Reddick reflected after the race. “We had wins at key moments but were hoping for a bit more luck today, but it just wasn’t our day.”

Although Reddick finished sixth in the final race of the season, he secured a fourth-place finish in the overall standings.

Before the race, Reddick shared how much Jordan’s presence influenced his pursuit of the championship in 2024 and what it means to race for him.

“The most important aspect for me was being able to do this for Michael. He talks about how racing and basketball differ, but the competitive mindset remains the same. He’s been incredibly helpful and inspiring during our time working together,” Reddick expressed to NBC Sports.

“In our casual discussions before a race, he manages to motivate us and keep us excited about what’s to come. You can genuinely sense his passion for NASCAR when he speaks about it; his focus is unwavering.”

Reddick, 28, reached the Championship 4 for the first time by winning at Homestead-Miami Speedway in October, executing an incredible last-lap pass. Jordan was there to share in the excitement as Reddick crossed the finish line first in what many considered an unlikely victory.

“He really let loose and went for it, and I’m thrilled,” Jordan said. “That kid did an amazing job. I’m really proud of him.”

In addition to his Homestead victory, Reddick also won at Talladega Superspeedway in April and at Michigan International Speedway in August.