NASCAR driver Denny Hamlin recently declared that he is more competitive than Michael Jordan, his co-owner at 23XI Racing. The statement came during a recent Dale Jr Download podcast, where Hamlin reflected on their competitive natures over time.
Hamlin and the six-time NBA champion Jordan began their friendship in 2006. Over the years, Hamlin encouraged Jordan to invest in NASCAR, culminating in the joint creation of 23XI Racing in 2020. The team’s name represents Jordan’s iconic number 23 and Hamlin’s car number 11 in the Cup Series.
When asked if Jordan was more competitive than he is now, Hamlin replied firmly, “Not in today’s world, no.” He explained that Jordan’s competitiveness was evident during his playing days but has changed as he has aged and moved on from professional sports.
Hamlin added that after Jordan’s retirement from basketball, his mindset shifted, no longer needing to compete weekly like a professional athlete. He said,
“He doesn’t have to compete each and every week. So when you’re in season or in your job of being a professional sports athlete, your mentality absolutely is different than what it is after you retire. So no I don’t [think Jordan is as competitive as him].”
Insights Into Jordan’s Personality and Hamlin’s Relationship With Him
Although Hamlin believes his current level of competitiveness exceeds Jordan’s, he noted that Jordan still engages in trash talk, especially during their golf games together. Hamlin shared that their friendship initially formed over golf, before Jordan began attending NASCAR events as Hamlin’s guest.
Hamlin said,
“Yeah, he still trash talks. Quite a bit when we go play golf, but so do I,”
demonstrating their shared competitive spirit in friendly settings. He continued,
“So you know we’re very similar in that stance, but I unfortunately never got to see that intense side of him because I think he is a little different now that he’s got a bunch of kids and married, and just life’s different.”
23XI Racing’s Progress and Playoff Prospects
23XI Racing recently celebrated a significant milestone when driver Bubba Wallace secured a long-awaited victory at Indianapolis. This marked Wallace’s first win since his triumph at Kansas in 2022. Currently, the team appears positioned to have two drivers competing in the Cup Series playoffs this year, with Wallace already qualified and Tyler Reddick comfortably holding a strong points position.
The success reflects the growing strength of the partnership between Hamlin and Jordan as co-owners, highlighting their combined impact on NASCAR through the 23XI Racing team.
Ongoing NASCAR Challenges and Team Dynamics
While 23XI Racing advances, rival teams continue to face challenges; for instance, Joe Gibbs Racing recently received penalties following the Iowa race. Meanwhile, former champions such as Kyle Busch are dealing with changes, including demotion within the Cup Series lineup at Iowa, showing how competitive and turbulent the current NASCAR landscape remains.
