Denny Hamlin Defends Partner Michael Jordan Against ‘Absentee Owner’ Narrative: “He Cares About This”

Before the Talladega race, all of 23XI Racing’s wins were achieved without their NBA owner. Michael Jordan somehow missed out on the three times the No. 45 team swerved into Victory Lane. However, Jordan was steadily elevating his time with the team, having attended over a dozen races last year. And sure enough, his moment of glory finally came yesterday. 

When Tyler Reddick got ahead of Brad Keselowski and Michael McDowell caught in a wreck, the No. 45 pit team burst into celebrations. After Michael Jordan’s efforts paid off, his co-owner, Denny Hamlin, heaped praises on his leadership qualities.

Michael Jordan is an ideal team leader

When 23XI was born in 2021, great things were already scripted in its fate. Six-time NBA champion Michael Jordan and three-time Daytona 500 winner Denny Hamlin were the team chiefs. All they had to do was accumulate their immense experience and lead the team, which they did beautifully.

23XI’s wins are as personal to them as their own baby’s milestones. At the GEICO 500 race, Hamlin had crashed out with 33 laps remaining, and intended to leave early. However, Reddick’s win drew him back. He took a U-turn from the airport to partake in 23XI’s celebrations, this time with their basketball owner around. 

The win would not have been possible without Michael Jordan’s charismatic personality. So on ‘Actions Detrimental’, Hamlin was speechless as he talked about Jordan’s team presence: “Man, I can’t quantify it. But, he’s the most popular athlete in the world…”

Then Hamlin went on to narrate Jordan’s pervading influence on the team. “One thing I absolutely love about him is…I try not to ask him to do too much, he understands that when I do ask him, it’s important. He can turn it on at the right time with the right people. He’s always curious when we have VIP meet and greet…He cares. So to have someone that really cares about the people that invest in him and his race team, it certainly goes a long way.”

Hamlin concluded with a salute to the NBA legend’s dedication. “He is not an absentee owner, for sure. He cares about this, he’s a race fan first. I’m very very grateful that we struck up the friendship that we did 14 years ago.”

Hamlin’s mental rapport with Michael Jordan runs deep. This is evident in the friendly digs that they take at each other.

Jordan proves Hamlin wrong after Talladega win

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Given that Michael Jordan had never been present in 23XI Racing’s past victories, you would think a pattern emerged. However, Jordan quietly slipped inside the racing stands to watch his team yesterday. And lo-and-behold, Tyler Reddick snatched the checkered flag. With a broad grin on his face, Michael Jordan told Fox reporter Jamie Little: “Denny keeps saying I was bad luck when I come to the track, and today proved him wrong”.

Jordan did not stop there, as he continued jabbing his co-owner. Hamlin’s No. 11 Toyota was knocked out in a crash on lap 157, triggered by Bubba Wallace’s No. 23. “Actually, he did a good job of wrecking, so we could get up front,” Michael Jordan said of Hamlin. “That was actually pretty good.”

Despite Denny Hamlin’s miserable finish, he can still celebrate 23XI’s sixth win with Michael Jordan.