Bubba Wallace Reveals Unheard Reservations About Accepting Denny Hamlin and Michael Jordan’s Offer

There are very few characters in NASCAR who are as expressive as Bubba Wallace. May it be on the tracks or off it, the 23XI Racing driver has always been vocal about his opinions. However, the Alabama-born racer required some convincing to join the team back in 2021. And who better to do it than the co-owners Denny Hamlin and Michael Jordan?

The duo expressed their plans to start a new team to encourage Wallace to join them. That being said, it wasn’t as easy a decision as it looked for Wallace. Back then, he was associated with Richard Petty Motorsports. Having been with them for four years, it took Wallace some thinking to accept Hamlin and Jordan’s deal.

Bubba Wallace reveals his reservations about joining Hamlin’s team

It was with Richard Petty Motorsports that Wallace got his first shot in the NASCAR Cup Series in 2017. Post that, they gave him a full-time opportunity in the Series. So yeah, definitely, there must have been a lot of emotional value before Wallace decided to leave them.

READ MORE: “Better Than Anyone” – Denny Hamlin Boasts the “Level of Talent” Bubba Wallace Possesses

In a recent interview with The Clarion-Ledger, the 29-year-old was asked about the difficulty in deciding to depart from RPM. To this, Wallace replied, “They [Richard Petty Motorsports] were fighting hard for sponsorship and to keep everything in place trying to make things work and we were. And then the deal with MJ (Michael Jordan), Denny, and Toyota came about.”

“And I could kind of see the future a little bit more clearer with this opportunity so – it wasn’t an easy move at all. I had a lot of reserves about even making the switch. It’s been pretty good.” Bubba Wallace took a tough call, but it has turned out well for him. He has registered two race wins since and seems to be getting better.

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Expectations for this season are set for Wallace

Given how Michael Jordan and Denny Hamlin pursued Wallace, it was clear that they have the belief in him. That being said, the expectations from the African-American driver are set for the upcoming season.

This time around Bubba Wallace is expected to at least make the playoffs. Joe Gibbs Racing driver Denny Hamlin recently stated how Wallace has exceeded his expectations. It is time the 23XI Racing driver repays his owner’s faith in him.

WATCH THIS STORY | Denny Hamlin justifies the decision to ditch Joe Gibbs Racing after the Bubba Wallace fiasco last year

Bubba Wallace has the chance to get a flying start to the 2023 season at Daytona 500. He finished second in “The Great American Race” last year. Can he go all the way this time around? We’ll come to know better on Sunday.