The NBA player credited with bringing Michael Jordan into NASCAR is **Danny Hamlin**, a professional NASCAR driver. Hamlin and Jordan formed a strong friendship, which led to Jordan’s entry into the racing world.
The story of Michael Jordan’s involvement in NASCAR dates back to 2020 when he made headlines by becoming a team owner in NASCAR. His venture into the motorsport world was largely influenced by his relationship with Danny Hamlin, who was already a well-established figure in NASCAR. The duo partnered to create the **23XI Racing** team, which was launched in 2020. The name “23XI” is a reference to Jordan’s iconic number 23 jersey from his basketball career.
Jordan had long been a fan of racing, but it was Hamlin who played a pivotal role in introducing him to the intricacies of NASCAR. Their friendship, which developed over the years, grew out of a mutual respect for each other’s competitive spirit and passion for sports. As Hamlin and Jordan spent more time together, Hamlin shared his experiences in NASCAR with Jordan, and the idea of joining the racing world grew on the NBA legend.
The partnership was groundbreaking, as it marked the first time Jordan, a global icon from the basketball world, entered NASCAR as a team owner. The formation of 23XI Racing marked a new era for NASCAR, bringing increased attention to the sport, especially from the basketball and wider sports communities. This move made Jordan not just a figure in basketball history but also a key player in the evolution of NASCAR’s diversification. The team’s first driver was Bubba Wallace, who became the first Black driver in over 50 years to win a NASCAR Cup Series race.
In summary, it was Danny Hamlin who introduced Michael Jordan to NASCAR, a relationship that changed the landscape of both sports.
