23XI Racing is a NASCAR team that competes in the NASCAR Cup Series. It is owned and operated by Hall of Fame Basketball player Michael Jordan, with current Joe Gibbs Racing driver Denny Hamlin as a minority partner. The team fields the No. 23 Toyota for driver Bubba Wallace and the No. 45 Toyota for driver Tyler Reddick, with a technical alliance with JGR.[1]
History[]
During the Summer of 2020, rumors swirled that Basketball player Michael Jordan intended on purchasing an ownership stake in Richard Petty Motorsports, who fielded the only black driver in NASCAR Cup Series, Bubba Wallace. Such claims were repeatedly denied by Jordan's Management team.[2][3]
Car #23 History[]
On September 21, 2020, Jordan and Hamlin announced the formation of a cup team to begin competition in 2021 with Jordan as Majority owner, Hamlin as minority owner and Wallace as the driver.[4] The team bought a guaranteed starting spot in every 2021 race by purchasing a charter for Germain Racing.[5] The team's name, car number and manufacturer were not revealed at the time of the announcement.[6] Hamlin later said that the two discussed owing a team but it never came to fruition.[7] On October 22, the team announced it's name, 23XI Racing, and would use the number 23 (Jordan's number during his basketball career).[8] On October 30, the team announced they will run Toyota's with a technical alliance with Joe Gibbs Racing (Whose No. 11 car is driven by Hamlin) and operate out of a shop owned (and formerly used by) Germain Racing.[1] On December 14, 23XI Racing announced that DoorDash, McDonald's, Columbia Sportswear, Dr Pepper, and Root, Inc will be the sponsors for the No. 23 team in 2021. It was also announced that several crew members of the former Germain operation would join the team as a pit crew.[9] On February 3, it was announced that former Germain driver Ty Dillon (who will run the Daytona 500 with fellow Toyota team Gaunt Brothers Racing) would run the car in 2021 Busch Clash, as Wallace was not eligible to run the clash.[10]
Car #23 Career Statistics[]
| Year | Car | Driver | Races | Wins | Poles | Top 5 | Top 10 | Season Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | #23 | Bubba Wallace | 36 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 22nd |
Sources[]
References[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 "Bubba Wallace, Denny Hamlin reveal manufacturer, technical alliance for 23XI Racing". NASCAR Digital Media, LLC (October 30, 2020).
- ↑ "Michael Jordan not interested in buying into Bubba Wallace's NASCAR team, rep says". FOX News Network, LLC (August 27, 2020).
- ↑ "'No truth' to rumor of Michael Jordan exploring NASCAR ownership" (August 28, 2020).
- ↑ "Bubba Wallace to drive for owners Michael Jordan, Denny Hamlin in 2021". NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. (September 21, 2020).
- ↑ "Michael Jordan buys spot to form NASCAR team, hires Bubba Wallace" (September 22, 2020).
- ↑ "Denny Hamlin forming Cup team with Michael Jordan; Bubba Wallace to drive; charter from Germain Racing". NASCAR Digital Media, LLC (September 21, 2020).
- ↑ "Michael Jordan, Denny Hamlin to field NASCAR Cup car with Bubba Wallace driving". Associated Press (September 21, 2020).
- ↑ "Michael Jordan-Denny Hamlin team to be known as 23XI Racing" (October 22, 2020).
- ↑ "23XI Racing announces sponsors". NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. (December 14, 2020).
- ↑ "Ty Dillon to run Busch Clash for 23XI Racing". NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. (February 3, 2021).
| Toyota in NASCAR | ||
| Models | Camry (2007- ) | Supra (2019- ) | Tundra (2004- ) | |
| NASCAR Cup Series Teams | 23XI Racing | Joe Gibbs Racing | Legacy Motor Club | |
| Xfinity Series Teams | Joe Gibbs Racing | Joey Gase Motorsports | Sam Hunt Racing | |
| Craftsman Truck Series Teams | Cook Racing Technologies | Floridian Motorsports | Halmar Racing | Hattori Racing Enterprises | Hill Motorsports | MBM Motorsports | On Point Motorsports | Ryan Huff Motorsports | Terry Carroll Racing | TRICON Garage | |