Perhaps for the first time in his career, Bubba Wallace is, to some extent, rightfully on the end of some very harsh criticism from all ends in NASCAR. The 23XI Racing driver had wrecked Kyle Larson intentionally, then shoving him soon after.
This incident earned him a one-race suspension by NASCAR. But this also made a lot of his critics and fans wonder whether his bosses Michael Jordan and Denny Hamlin could reconsider his place in their team.
Just @DoorDash ‘d some Humble Pie for lunch. Ready to sit back and help @23XIRacing get it done today. 👊🏾 pic.twitter.com/5vYqFVTJkO
— Bubba Wallace (@BubbaWallace) October 23, 2022
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However, if you look at what the NBA legend said about Wallace when he signed him to his team a couple of years ago, the answer is pretty clear.
Speaking about supporting the #23 driver of his NASCAR venture, Jordan emphasized on how despite everything being in Wallace’s control, they’re going to be there for him no matter what.
“It’s all on him, but in actuality, it isn’t,” Jordan said. “We are very, very supportive, we’re going to be there for him when he makes a mistake, when he succeeds. We’re going to go down as a team, and we’re going to win as a team. I can understand his mentality, and that’s good. I used to say that as well.”
In fact, MJ had claimed that he never wanted his driver “to feel that he’s alone.”
Naturally, the driver himself admitted that following his move to 23XI, he would also have “no more excuses.”
“Everything, just like Michael Jordan said, everything is ultimately up to me. And that’s what I live off of, when it’s in my court and it’s in my control,” Wallace described.
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Bubba Wallace had recently renewed his contract with 23XI
A couple of months ago, 23XI Racing announced a long-term extension for Bubba Wallace that would keep him with the Jordan-Hamlin team for many years to come.
Wallace was naturally pretty thrilled with his renewal.
“Thanks to M.J. and Denny for continuing to believe in me. We’ve come a long way together in less than two years and we’ve checked off some major goals along the way,” he said.
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“I feel good about our team and the direction we’re heading.”
The two-time race winner in the Cup Series also emphasized that 23XI is the team where he wants to see out his NASCAR career as well. “I thought from Day 1 on joining this team that I wanted to make this where I retire and a place that I call home for a very long time,” Wallace said.
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“I’m just trying to do the best that I can and continue those efforts.”