Michael Jordan Partners with Denny Hamlin; Becomes Co-Owner of NASCAR Team and Bubba Wallace as Driver
NBA GOAT Michael Jordan continues to make history but this time away from the court. The Charlotte Hornets owner Michael Jordan will partner with current driver Denny Hamlin to form a NASCAR racing team, becoming the majority team owner. Bubba Wallace would be the driver, for the team as he is currently the only black driver at NASCAR’s highest level.
Jordan becomes the first Black principal owner of a full-time Cup team since Hall of Famer Wendell Scott drove his own race car in 495 races from 1961 to 1973
Jordan released a statement,
“Historically, NASCAR has struggled with diversity and there have been few Black owners,” Jordan said in a statement. “The timing seemed perfect as NASCAR is evolving and embracing social change more and more. In addition to the recent commitment and donations I have made to combat systemic racism, I see this as a chance to educate a new audience and open more opportunities for Black people in racing.
“In addition to the recent commitment and donations I have made to combat systemic racism, I see this as a chance to educate a new audience and open more opportunities for Black people in racing.”
Hamlin and Jordan have been friend for eleven since they first met at a Charlotte Bobcats game. Their friendship blossomed as he became the first NASCAR driver with an endorsement by Jordan Brand.
Jordan talked about he has been a fan of NASCAR when his parents used to take him and his brothers to the races.
“Growing up in North Carolina, my parents would take my brothers, sisters and me to races, and I’ve been a NASCAR fan my whole life,” Jordan said in a news release. “The opportunity to own my own racing team in partnership with my friend, Denny Hamlin, and to have Bubba Wallace driving for us, is very exciting for me.”
Hamlin said “deciding on a driver was easy — it had to be Bubba Wallace.”
Wallace is lone black NASCAR CUP series driver has made 105 career starts. He has five top-10 finishes this year, including a fifth-place run in the regular-season finale at Daytona International Speedway.
Wallace has been on the forefront of racial diversity in NASCAR, speaking out about banning the Confederate flag from NASCAR tracks.
