2023 is the first time 23XI Racing succeeded in getting both their cars in the playoffs rumble and could advance to the round of 12. Team owners Michael Jordan and Denny Hamlin were content. However, after the eventful race at the Charlotte ROVAL, Bubba Wallace’s #23 team fell out of contention. And now, Michael Jordan‘s team has just one of its drivers in the round of 8.

However, Michael Jordan’s approach to managing his team has changed lately. And that too, in the best possible way. Although Tyler Reddick felt like this could have happened earlier when the McDonald’s team was facing pit crew problems with the two teams, co-owner Denny Hamlin revealed that they were in a good enough position.

Michael Jordan’s involvement and the focus on #45 could have come earlier, says Reddick

Winning 6 NBA championships, Michael Jordan is also the second-greatest athlete in the 20th century, as per The Associated Press. There is almost no one in the arena of competitive sports who hasn’t heard of him. However, due to his preoccupation with finalizing the sale of his majority stake in the NBA?s Charlotte Hornets, he hasn’t had the time to show his involvement in his Cup Series team.

But now, Jordan has been showing up at races for the past weeks. He was even there to attend the practice laps of Sunday’s South Point 400. However, when the #45 speedster bore the burden of a 5-race-long debacle where he finished no better than 27th back in June and July, the legendary Jordan was nowhere to be found.

Tyler Reddick felt like this seriousness could have happened earlier. “It just seemed like when the playoffs came, everyone was ready and locked in and we have been doing a good job ever since,” said Reddick, “Right as we got into the heat of this thing, we pulled it together. It would have been good to correct it earlier, but when the playoffs came around, we locked in.”

Watch This Story: Michael Jordan?s NASCAR Team Faces More Criticism As Playoffs Approach

However, despite Reddick’s claims, his boss Denny Hamlin argues that they are not at a disadvantage despite Bubba Wallace not making it further into the playoff battle.

Denny Hamlin felt his team is better than “half the field”

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Bubba Wallace had qualified for the playoffs for the first time in his third year with 23XI Racing. But ultimately he got ousted from the roster and only his teammate got into the round of 8. Losing an entry into the semifinals of the Cup Series champion might look like a big setback to some. But Denny Hamlin was not one of them.

The number 11 Toyota Camry pilot told Frontstretch’s Bryan Nolen, “When you get down to the final eight and you got half the field, it’s pretty good. So certainly I think that the way they do things has been really successful, so it’s hard for me to second guess.”

“I don’t know about disadvantage. Experience does matter certainly. When you haven’t been in this position before, certainly nerves can be a factor but there’s no disadvantage,” he added with confidence.

Denny Hamlin is like a father protecting his son whenever he speaks about his team. However, there is a twist. Denny Hamlin is an extremely competitive driver. As much as he wants his team to win as an owner, the driver in him will not spare even an inch for his employee or anyone else on the grid.

What if the fans get to witness a boss-employee showdown at the next race? Wouldn’t that be exciting?

Read More: Tyler Reddick Admits Michael Jordan Wasn?t ?Expecting a Lot? From Him, But It Was a Ploy for the Best