DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (FNN SPORTS) — Basketball icon and team owner Michael Jordan stood in victory lane at Daytona International Speedway, overcome with emotion as 23XI Racing captured its first Daytona 500 title Sunday.

Driver Tyler Reddick surged ahead on the final lap of the 2026 Daytona 500, delivering what Jordan described as a “championship feeling” for the NASCAR organization he co-founded in 2020 with fellow driver Denny Hamlin.

The victory, secured during Black History Month, marked a historic milestone for Jordan — a six-time NBA champion now celebrating a win in “The Great American Race.”

A Championship Feeling at Daytona

Jordan, a Hall of Famer who built a global legacy with the Chicago Bulls, compared the Daytona triumph to his NBA title runs.

“This is what it feels like to win a championship,” Jordan said. “We’ve built this from the ground up, and to see it pay off like this — it’s indescribable.”

As confetti fell, Jordan embraced Reddick and helped hoist the Harley J. Earl Trophy. The 63-year-old owner, who turns 63 on Tuesday, joked about finally earning a Daytona 500 ring to match his six NBA championship rings.

“I can’t even believe it. It’s so gratifying,” Jordan said. “You never know how these races will end. You try to survive.”

Teamwork Fuels 23XI Racing’s Breakthrough

Jordan emphasized that the victory was not decided solely by Reddick’s last-lap pass but by a coordinated team effort throughout the 200-lap race.

He credited teammate Riley Herbst for a critical push in the closing stretch that positioned Reddick for the winning move. Superspeedway racing often hinges on drafting alliances and split-second timing — elements Jordan said his team executed perfectly.

“I thought Riley did an unbelievable job pushing at the end,” Jordan said. “That shows what teamwork can really do.”

Reddick, driving a Toyota, led only the final lap — one of a record 25 drivers to lead at least one lap in the race. The 30-year-old Californian called the finish “true Daytona madness” and celebrated his ninth career Cup Series win, snapping a 38-race winless streak.

Teammate Bubba Wallace, who led a race-high 40 laps before finishing 10th, shared an emotional moment with Jordan in victory lane.

A Milestone in Black History Month

Jordan launched 23XI Racing in 2020 alongside Hamlin with a vision of building a competitive, inclusive NASCAR organization. Sunday’s victory represents the team’s biggest achievement yet and adds another chapter to Jordan’s competitive legacy beyond basketball.

Hamlin, who drives for Joe Gibbs Racing, told employees before the race that they had the power to bring joy to one of sports’ most accomplished figures.

“There’s nothing else that can bring him the joy that seeing what his team can do,” Hamlin said.

For Jordan — whose competitive drive defined an era in the NBA — the Daytona 500 win carries symbolic weight. During Black History Month, the moment underscores his continued impact across professional sports as both a cultural icon and team owner.

From championships on the hardwood to victory at Daytona, Jordan’s pursuit of excellence remains unchanged.

DENVER (FNN) — A Frontier Airlines flight carrying nearly 200 passengers bound for San Francisco ahead of Super Bowl 60 was forced to return to Denver International Airport late Sunday night after passengers reported a smoke-like odor inside the aircraft.

Florida National News (FNN) President and CEO J. Willie David, III was among those onboard Frontier Flight 2519, which departed Denver at approximately 10:29 p.m. on Feb. 1, 2026, en route to San Francisco. Super Bowl 60 festivities are scheduled to begin Monday, Feb. 2.

SMOKE ODOR PROMPTS MID-FLIGHT RETURN

Passengers seated near rows 26 and 27 reported detecting an odor similar to smoke and immediately alerted flight attendants. Frontier crew members conducted an onboard assessment and escalated the concern to the flight captain.

Out of an abundance of caution, the captain made the decision to terminate the flight mid-route and return to Denver for further inspection. The aircraft landed safely at Denver International Airport, where Denver Fire Rescue personnel were standing by upon arrival.

Firefighters boarded the aircraft to inspect the cabin while passengers remained seated. No injuries were reported.

In a separate but related incident highlighting industry-wide concerns over cabin air quality, Frontier Airlines Flight 2519 previously returned to Denver following a reported fumes event that prompted pilots to declare an emergency. That aircraft also landed safely, and medical personnel were requested as a precaution for potential exposure. Frontier later arranged a replacement aircraft while the source of the fumes was investigated.

PASSENGERS STRANDED OVERNIGHT AT DENVER AIRPORT

With no additional outbound flights available overnight, nearly 200 passengers were stranded at Denver International Airport. Many slept on terminal floors as families waited with crying infants and exhausted travelers searched for updates.

Frontier later notified passengers that the delay was caused by a required aircraft change, rescheduling the Denver-to-San Francisco flight for 6:00 a.m. on Feb. 2, nearly eight hours after its original departure time.

Affected passengers were given the option to rebook, cancel for a refund, or receive a credit shell valid for five years. Frontier also issued a $50 travel voucher to impacted travelers as a goodwill gesture.

However, some passengers said Frontier Airlines did not go far enough with its goodwill gesture, arguing that their lives were significantly disrupted by the smoke odor, potential fume exposure and mechanical concerns.

Several travelers said the $50 flight voucher and $10 breakfast voucher fell short of compensating for missed events, overnight delays and extended time spent at the airport. Some also cited additional Frontier delays involving mechanical issues, including a separate flight from Kansas to Denver that was delayed for several hours the same night.

Passengers who experienced multiple disruptions described what they view as a pattern of operational and mechanical problems, raising broader concerns about reliability during high-volume travel periods. Frontier Airlines has not publicly commented on whether the incidents are connected.

SUPER BOWL 60 PLANS DISRUPTED, SAFETY PRAISED

David, who had already experienced a 10-hour layover prior to the incident, spent nearly 20 consecutive hours at Denver International Airport, missing the opening day of Super Bowl 60 week events.

“This is a nightmare built on delay after delay,” David said. “I’m stuck at Denver International Airport and will miss part of Super Bowl 60 week even before kickoff. That said, I applaud Frontier Airlines for prioritizing passenger safety. “I would rather be safe than unalive,” David said, adding that passengers deserve clean air onboard Frontier aircraft and a smoke-free cabin environment, without exposure to mechanical fumes that could pose potential health risks.

While the incident added to travel disruptions during one of the busiest sports weeks of the year, many passengers expressed appreciation for the flight crew’s decision to return to Denver, emphasizing that safety outweighed inconvenience.

HISTORY OF FUME AND SMOKE INCIDENTS IN AVIATION

Fume- and smoke-related incidents are a known concern across the commercial aviation industry. Airlines, including Frontier, have previously reported cabin air irregularities that prompted precautionary landings and inspections. Such events have occasionally led to passenger complaints and legal action industry-wide, underscoring the importance of immediate response protocols when odors or smoke are detected onboard.

ALBANY, N.Y. (FNN) — Extreme Cold Watches are in effect for the North Country from 7 p.m. Friday through 1 p.m. Saturday as dangerously low temperatures threaten much of northern New York, state officials announced.

Wind chill values could make temperatures feel as low as minus 50 degrees Friday night and minus 30 degrees Saturday night, creating life-threatening conditions for anyone exposed for extended periods.

Winter Storm Expected to Bring Heavy Snow Statewide

A large winter storm system is forecast to impact New York beginning Sunday morning and continuing through Monday, bringing widespread snowfall across much of the state.

Forecasters predict 12 to 18 inches of snow for New York City, Long Island, the Hudson Valley, Capital Region, Southern Tier, Mohawk Valley, Lower North Country, and parts of Central New York. Western New York and the Upper North Country could see 6 to 12 inches of snow.

State Agencies Mobilized Ahead of Storm

At the governor’s direction, state response agencies have been engaged in multi-day preparations to address the expected extreme cold and heavy snowfall. Crews are coordinating snow removal, emergency response, and public safety operations to minimize disruptions and ensure rapid assistance where needed.

Voting Changes and Telework Guidance Issued

Due to the expected weather conditions, early voting for the Feb. 3 New York City special elections has been suspended on Sunday, Jan. 25, and Monday, Jan. 26.

Additionally, all non-essential state employees have been directed to telecommute on Monday where possible to reduce travel and maintain safety.

Public Safety Alerts Available to Residents

New Yorkers are encouraged to stay informed by signing up for weather and emergency alerts by texting 333111, which provides real-time updates and safety information during severe weather events.