What does it feel like to be in business with arguably the biggest sporting personality in the world, Michael Jordan? Only a select few have the opportunity to work with or forge a partnership with the basketball legend. And Joe Gibbs Racing star Denny Hamlin is one of them. The two joined forces in starting a new NASCAR Cup Series team, 23XI Racing, and it’s already been four years since they started competing.

Now Michael Jordan does come out as an imposing figure. After all, he’s more than just a sporting icon; he’s a smart and intelligent business personality as well. From the outside looking in, it feels like Jordan is the shot-caller at 23XI Racing’s decision-making matters. But in reality, the dynamics are completely different, one that puts more onus on Hamlin’s shoulders.

Denny Hamlin has the complete trust of Michael Jordan in the decisions he makes

Hamlin has been around NASCAR for more than two decades. He has gained immense knowledge and wisdom and certainly knows the ins and outs of the sport. But an ownership role with Jordan is something he wouldn’t have predicted. It is nothing short of a dream move, but this role demands he be at his best. Even the great Michael Jordan relies on his judgment on important subjects that are related directly or indirectly to 23XI Racing.

Opening up about the equation between him and Michael Jordan, Hamlin said, “If anything, he’s more paranoid about getting too in-depth with the team. You’d think he’d be very controlling, but he’s not. He really, really trusts me, and every move I want to make, he lets me do it. Even if he doesn’t think that it’s the right move. He says all the time, ‘I ride with you.’ That puts a lot of pressure on me because I don’t want to let him down.” He said this in an interview with Kelly Crandall from ESPN.

Seven wins in just four years being in NASCAR is indeed a big deal. Moreover, they also won the regular season championship with Tyler Reddick and the #45 team this season. And this is only a testament to the hard work Hamlin and the entire 23XI Racing team have put in. “That’s why I put in the work that I do because I know I’m representing a huge brand, a huge athlete, and someone special in the world we live in. I want to live up to the winning mentality that he’s had his whole life,” Hamlin added.

Call it luck or good fortune, 23XI Racing has grown to be a competitive NASCAR outfit in such a short time. Had this passion project gone sideways, it would have led to serious concerns for Denny Hamlin’s racing objectives at the JGR side.

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Co-ownership and racing in NASCAR have been a smooth ride for Hamlin

The veteran JGR driver isn’t the first one to have started the venture of entering NASCAR as a team owner. There have been the likes of Dale Earnhardt Jr., Tony Stewart, Kevin Harvick, and Michael Waltrip in the modern era who have all had success in their ownership ventures. So, the pressure was on Denny Hamlin to make this project a success and, at the same time, ensure his racing at JGR didn’t get affected.

Fortunately, this new project has worked out in his team’s favor, and this success story has become his driving force to be more competitive. Acknowledging the doomsday scenario, Hamlin opined, “I’m happy because I have so much pride and I’m so competitive. So, if this had not been a successful venture, it would have been tough on me and probably would have had a little burden on my driving, truthfully. But I think it’s given me more confidence in both.”

What’s interesting is that both 23XI Racing and Hamlin are still in the hunt for the championship. Will Hamlin prioritize his title dreams over his team’s ambitions if need be? It remains to be seen.