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INDIANAPOLIS, IN – SEPTEMBER 09: Bubba Wallace, driver of the #43 World Wide Technology Chevrolet, during the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Big Machine Vodka 400 at the Brickyard at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)

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INDIANAPOLIS, IN – SEPTEMBER 09: Bubba Wallace, driver of the #43 World Wide Technology Chevrolet, during the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Big Machine Vodka 400 at the Brickyard at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)
Just before the NASCAR Daytona 500 on Sunday, Bubba Wallace wore a thrilled and excited look on his face after meeting his new team owner Michael Jordan for the very first time. In the build-up to the race, he looked forward to finally meeting the basketball legend as much as he did for the race.
Wallace came face-to-face with the NBA great after having a few conversations with him over the phone in the past few months. Not just the fact that they met, but Jordan’s words of high praise for Wallace are certain to give him the much-needed confidence in the new season.
Jordan reiterated that the fact that he and Denny Hamlin picked Wallace for 23XI Racing, clearly shows their confidence in his abilities to not just run up front, but to win races. Jordan feels Wallace will ‘learn’ how to win very soon.
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“He’s going to learn how to win. He’s got the talent. We would not have invested in him and picked him if he didn’t have the talent to win,” Jordan said in an interview, as a proud Wallace looked on.

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CHARLOTTE, NC – APRIL 28: Basketball legend Michael Jordan looks on during the pro-am for the Quail Hollow Championship at Quail Hollow Country Club on April 28, 2010 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)
Michael Jordan reveals his expectations from Bubba Wallace
One of the greatest sportsmen ever, Jordan believes his new driver will certainly win races in the 2021 season, expecting him to win at least a couple.
“By the end of the year, I think he’s going to have an opportunity and probably will win at least a couple of races. If it’s more, I’ll be elated,” Jordan expressed.
The interviewer, former NFL star Michael Strahan, said he would jump on his couch in excitement when Wallace wins his maiden Cup Series race. To that, Jordan quickly said he would do the same.
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How did Wallace perform in the NASCAR Daytona 500?
Just before the Daytona 500, Wallace’s car failed pre-race inspection and they had to start from the rear. As per reports, Jordan himself called crew chief Mike Wheeler to ask him about the incident.
When it was time to perform on the race track, Wallace did not disappoint in his debut race with 23XI Racing. The star driver set some impressive speeds in practice and qualifying, and even had a decent run in the Daytona 500.

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Feb 14, 2021; Daytona Beach, Florida, USA; NASCAR Cup Series driver Bubba Wallace (23) gets ready for the restart of the Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Wallace looked like a driver who can contend for the win, before some technical issues and then a crash halted his progress. Hamlin himself was impressed with Wallace’s run in the race, as he expressed after the race.
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READ MORE – “His Own Radio and All” – Denny Hamlin on Michael Jordan’s Involvement and Excitement for NASCAR Races
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