What’s Happening?

Denny Hamlin is the current co-owner of 23XI Racing, alongside NBA icon Michael Jordan. The two started the team in 2021, and in the span of just four seasons, 23XI has become one of the premier teams in the NASCAR Cup Series. But fans know that Hamlin and Jordan’s relationship goes well beyond starting their own team. Not only is Hamlin a Jordan Brand athlete, as evidenced by the Jordan logo on his equipment, but he is also really good friends with Michael, who goes back almost 20 years. How did this relationship start? How did Denny Hamlin and Michael Jordan meet? Let’s find out.

• Denny Hamlin and Michael Jordan have been friends for decades. Hamlin was the only NASCAR driver to be a Jordan Brand athlete, until 23XI formed, with both of their drivers donning the Jordan Brand.
• The two formed 23XI Racing during the 2020 pandemic. Since then, the team has become one of the sports top units, winning at least one race since 2021 and making the playoffs every year since 2022.
• Many fans wonder how such a friendship formed between one of NASCAR’s top drivers and arguably the greatest basketball player of all time.

Where it Began

The backstory behind Hamlin and Jordan’s relationship is a fascinating one. A friendship that brought the Jordan Brand into NASCAR and formed 23XI formed, as Hamlin said, “by accident.” Joining Frank Walks on Barstool Sports, Hamlin explained how he and Jordan met during a Charlotte Hornets game that Hamlin attended.

During halftime, well, he had security pull me aside and ask to meet me. And so, of course, I am completely starstruck. So he gets my phone number, and then in the second half of the game he’s asking me all of these racing questions, like, You know, last week, why would you pit in this scenario versus staying out? and I’m like, ‘Wait a minute, this guy watches NASCAR?’

Denny Hamlin

Jordan has been a NASCAR fan for years. He grew up watching NASCAR races as a kid, going to tracks like Charlotte, Talladega, and Charlotte. When the opportunity to meet one of the sports drivers came up, he took it. Eventually, Hamlin and Jordan agreed to make Denny NASCAR’s first Jordan Brand driver, where to this day, the Jordan Brand makes up all of Hamlin’s gear, from his fire suit to his shoes.

From Friends to Co-Owners

The 2020 pandemic brought about a lot of changes to the NASCAR world. One of those was when Hamlin and Jordan formed 23XI Racing. But what many don’t know is that the team was formed by accident. Hamlin explained on Frank Walks how the idea of the team came up and how Jordan got involved.

It just so happens the rumor mill gets started and there’s a fake news article that comes out saying, ‘Denny Hamlin and Michael Jordan are looking to purchase a stake in Richard Petty Racing (Richard Petty Motorsports).’ Well, that’s fake news. I was doing it, but not him. And so I debated it, and so I sent him this article and said, ‘Hey, it looks like we’re going into business together.’ And he says, ‘Haha, that’s obviously fake news, but if you want to make it real news, let me know.’ And so immediately I stopped, and I’m like, ‘Okay, what do I do now? What’s my next move? and I said, ‘What do you mean?’ He says, ‘Well, are you going to be a team owner or not?’ I said, ‘Given the right situation, yes,’ and he said, ‘Well, if you want a partner, let me know.

There was a lot of rumors in 2020 about Denny Hamlin and Michael Jordan possibly buying into Richard Petty Motorsports (now Legacy Motor Club) and switching the team to Toyota. Turns out those rumors were the catalyst of Hamlin and Jordan creating a NASCAR team. After two months, the two agreed on a business plan to form a race team, and after that 23XI Racing was born.

What do you think about all this? Let us know on Discord or X what your take is, and don’t forget you can also follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and even YouTube.