"I'm not the easiest to pick up" - Tyler Reddick reacts to Michael Jordan's 'little kid' remark after becoming a championship contender

Homestead-Miami winner Tyler Reddick shared his thoughts on comments made by NBA legend Michael Jordan, co-owner of 23XI Racing. The 28-year-old doesn't mind being called a "little kid" by his boss, as long as they keep winning races together.

The California native passed Ryan Blaney on the last lap of the 267-lap event at the Homestead-Miami Speedway to secure himself a spot in the Championship 4 race at Phoenix. In a post-race interview with NBC Sports, Jordan was asked about his driver's thrilling win.

"Little kid [Tyler Reddick] drove his ass off. I'm proud of him. He just let go [on the final lap]. He just went for it, and I'm glad. We needed it," the 61-year-old said.

In an interview posted on X by NASCAR on FOX reporter Bob Pockrass, the California native was asked if he was a "little kid" as his co-owner called him. Reddick jokingly said that's basically the case, adding:

"I can be whatever he wants as long as we keep getting race-winning cars like that and keep fighting like we have been this year."

Pockrass went on to ask if Reddick can live with being called a little kid by one of his bosses. The eight-time Cup Series race winner said he can tolerate it, adding:

"I would rather Michael say I'm a little kid than him say nothing at all, so I'm quite OK with it."

The 2024 Cup Series regular season champion was met by an embrace from Jordan that lifted the driver off the ground. Reddick said he was initially caught off guard by the six-time NBA champion's strength, but given his size, he wasn't surprised.

"I think weigh about 165," Tyler Reddick said. "I'm not the easiest to pick up, but for him, he can pick up anything."

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Tyler Reddick seeking first championship on Championship 4 debut

Tyler Reddick clinched a spot in the Championship 4 for the first time in his career with his victory last Sunday at the 1.5-mile Florida track. In his second season with 23XI Racing, he has the opportunity to earn his first Cup title along with his team's first championship.

Reddick has three victories this season that have come at Talladega, Michigan, and Homestead-Miami, respectively. A string of strong finishes towards the end of the 26-race regular season pushed him to earn the regular season championship.

Reddick joined Joey Logano as the two drivers qualified for the Championship 4. Logano won the week prior to Reddick at Las Vegas to secure his spot.

Christopher Bell and William Byron, meanwhile, hold the final two spots by points with one race left in the Round of 8. Kyle Larson, Denny Hamlin, Ryan Blaney, and Chase Elliott enter the Round of 8 finale at Martinsville below the cutline and are in danger of elimination.