Denny Hamlin and Michael Jordan’s $150 Million Brainchild Joins World’s Best Workplaces in Sports

Michael Jordan and Denny Hamlin’s 23XI Racing is making a resounding noise in NASCAR. Launched just four years ago in 2020, the team has secured five wins already and fostered an exciting work environment that has recently landed them a spot on Sports Business Journal’s prestigious “Best Places to Work in Sports 2023” list.

To determine this annual list, SBJ conducts a confidential employee satisfaction survey administered by their partner, Quantum Workplace. Over 12,000 employees from nearly 200 companies participated in the survey, sharing their candid opinions on various aspects like compensation, benefits, work-life balance, and leadership.

Top-75 Honor Draws Reactions From Co-owner Denny Hamlin & Others

With 81 dedicated employees headquartered in Mooresville, N.C., 23XI Racing not only has a positive work environment but also achieves impressive results on the racetrack.

Employees attribute this success to the team’s strong sense of community, collaborative spirit, and commitment to continuous improvement in the 23XI-specific report. “It is the best team I have ever worked for,” shared one anonymous employee, emphasizing the team’s focus on individual well-being. Another echoed this sentiment, following with, “The company and teams strive to be better than everyone else and looks to make continuous improvement while taking care of the employees.”

Co-owner Denny Hamlin joined in on the celebrations, sharing his pride on Twitter, expressing, “Being on this list is special. We @23XIRacing take pride in taking care of our people. I’m very proud of their commitment to us and the partners we have that believe in us.” The team, represented by the numbers 23, 45, and 67, fields teams for the second African-American driver to win a NASCAR national series race – Bubba Wallace, two-time Xfinity Series champion Tyler Reddick, and a yet-to-be-announced driver for the 2024 season.

Sharing Denny Hamlin’s pride, Freddie Kraft, spotter for Wallace and co-host of the popular “Door Bumper Clear” podcast on Dale Jr’s Dirty Mo Media Network (also home to “Actions Detrimental“), solidified Hamlin’s sentiments from his official Twitter handle. Kraft, praised the team’s work environment, calling it a “great,” “phenomenal,” and “terrific” place to work, using a string of positive adjectives to emphasize his enthusiasm.

However, with a guaranteed starting spot only secured by purchasing a charter from Germain Racing in 2021, the team embarked on a journey that has seemingly surpassed expectations.

From Start-Up to Superstar

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From its inception to the current season, 23XI Racing boasts 29 top-5 finishes, and 47 top-10 finishes, showcasing remarkable growth in just three years.  The journey of 23XI Racing, however, isn’t just marked by its on-track success and positive workplace culture. The team recently unveiled its ambitious $16 million project, codenamed “Airspeed.” This state-of-the-art headquarters, a testament to the team’s exponential growth, marks a significant leap forward.

The highly anticipated 23XI HQ, boasts an expansive 100,000 square feet, a considerable upgrade from their original 60,000 square feet facility. The project includes a remarkable 120-room hotel and 12,000 square feet of dedicated commercial office space.

As the team steps into its fourth year, co-owner Hamlin’s vision of a “five-year plan” is gaining steady momentum. Nevertheless, the JGR #11 acknowledged the challenge of “consistently running in the top five and winning eight to ten races annually,” in a recent interview. The team’s solid performance in the 2023 season, with two wins, 15 top-5s, and 25 top-10s, suggests they are on the right track, moreover.

However, the 2024 season moves westwards to Phoenix next week and the checkered flag is in sight. Will 23XI Racing falter on its journey toward becoming a championship contender?

Read More: How Michael Jordan and Denny Hamlin’s 5-Year Plan Is Shaping Up as 23XI Prepares for Year Four