Denny Hamlin Confesses the Burden of Dabbling Between His Loyalty to Michael Jordan and Joe Gibbs

There are a number of versatile personalities in the NASCAR Cup garage. First and foremost is Tony Stewart, who keeps testing his hands in a wide variety of race cars. Kyle Larson is up next, as his Double Dreams are looming close at hand with the Indy 500 slated to begin in a few hours. And then there is Denny Hamlin, juggling his team owner and racing duties. But the task is tough, although Michael Jordan’s presence is a motivational factor in itself.

While managing the 23XI Racing team, Hamlin wears his mentorship cape. But his dedication to Joe Gibbs Racing as a driver stops him from spilling too many trade secrets. Hence, this conflicting situation is hectic, as the No. 11 driver recently confessed.

Hamlin is torn between Michael Jordan and Joe Gibbs

When Denny Hamlin entered the NASCAR Cup Series in 2005, a team owner placed his faith in him. Joe Gibbs saw that burning passion for racing in Hamlin. Accordingly, Hamlin delivered 54 of his race wins to JGR, a team he holds emotional ties with. However, when he and Chicago Bulls NBA legend Michael Jordan created 23XI, Denny Hamlin faced a dilemma.

Which team should he invest more time in? Recently, whispers of packing his bags and moving into 23XI Racing with Michael Jordan floated. While admitting to a desire to drive for his own team, Denny Hamlin confirmed his loyalty to Gibbs: “I see my full-time career ending at Joe Gibbs Racing.” Yet the puzzle persists, as he needs to do all sorts of work for 23XI.

That includes putting up plant pots in the Airspeed cafe. Recently in a media briefing, Hamlin explained why he and Michael Jordan donned decorator duties. “I mean, I just wanted to do it myself. You know, we were trying to get some sort of live feel in the cafe, and just quite couldn’t quite figure out what to do. And then me and Jordan found something that was what we wanted and we went and did it ourselves.” 

Yet all the work is limited to a specific time frame. “I spent the entire off-season there every day for 6-8 hours, helping out and doing whatever to get us get this thing finished…I try to mentor them anytime that I can, give them some direction.”

This dynamic reverses when the off-season runs out, and Hamlin focuses on JGR again. He lets Michael Jordan and his teams take things into their own hands. “Once the season started, I kind of locked into being the driver…I gotta let them do it themselves, and certainly learn and grow by themselves. But certainly, I’m way more hands-on in the off-season than I am during the season.”

Hence Denny Hamlin’s burden is a pressing factor, as the season dictates his workplace. But despite 23XI drivers being his employees, he races them like any other rivals.

Hamlin admits to fair racing

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When 23XI Racing took root in early 2021, Michael Jordan had solidified his aim: To win races. After they acquired a charter from Germain Racing, the team struck a technical alliance with Joe Gibbs Racing to up its game. Hence, 23XI and JGR have never really rivaled each other, as both depend on each other in some ways. But the racetrack scenes couldn’t be far from this as Denny Hamlin opposed any hint of impartiality toward his drivers.

In 2022, he told Beyond the Flag that he wisely decides when to be a mentor and when a race rival. “I race them like I race anyone else. I mean, do you try to cut a break to them and let them in on a restart or something? Yes. If it’s not a detriment to you, then you try to help. But if I’m going to win the race, which that’s my goal and them to finish in second and third, I have to do everything I can and take every advantage I can on the track.”

Evidently, our star JGR driver is doing a great job in juggling his mentor-rival duties, although the job may be burdensome.