There was a time when NASCAR used to be a part of the popular culture. Hollywood movies, celebrities, and sports personalities from other major sports were often linked with stock car racing. Well, NASCAR is doing some soul-searching in trying to reclaim its spot as one of the most popular sports in the country, and it looks like their efforts are now paying off.

Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels showcased his support for Michael Jordan’s 23XI Racing. Daniels arrived at the Northwest Stadium in Landover in a Bubba Wallace 23XI bomber jacket. NBC Sports camera caught him in the bright red outfit as he headed to his team’s locker room ahead of the clash against the Philadelphia Eagles.

Adam Stern from Sports Business Journal also shared an update about this cross-sport collaboration on X. “@Commanders QB Jayden Daniels wore a Bubba Wallace/23XI jacket as he arrived for today’s game versus Philadelphia – Via @NBCWashington.” Well, this is indeed a small win for NASCAR, where star athletes from other sports are representing its team and sport to a larger audience.

The representation of Michael Jordan’s team on the NFL stage delighted NASCAR fans immensely. Many of them took to social media and shared their excitement seeing their favorite sport getting recognized by the sports community.

Fans are hyped to see NASCAR being represented on the NFL stage

Merchandise and apparel from teams and drivers are big among the NASCAR community. Teams like Hendrick Motorsports, RCR, and Team Penske are popular choices among the race fans attending weekly races. HMS drivers have been topping the charts with the most trackside merch sales. However, it seems like Michael Jordan’s influence and the rise of 23XI Racing are also gaining traction. And this is indeed a positive change for a sport looking to reignite its lost spark. Reacting to Daniel’s shout-out, this fan replied, “Nascar clothing is getting cool again, guys don’t panic!”

Not long ago, DoorDash was one of the core partners at 23XI Racing and regularly featured on Bubba Wallace’s No. 23 Toyota Camry. Team merchandise is often in collaboration with their sponsors, and Daniels was wearing the DoorDash jacket. Well, amid the excitement, this particular race fan remembered that the two parties had ended their partnership before the 2024 season. “I almost forgot DoorDash left 23XI.”

NASCAR has a history of crossover with NFL stars. Interestingly, former Commanders QB Robert Griffin drove the pace car at Richmond Raceway in 2014. Moreover, members of the Super Bowl-winning Los Angeles Rams, Andrew Whitworth and Matthew Stafford, gave the command to start engines at Auto Club Speedway in 2022. With this latest update, fans are now hoping that Daniels should visit a NASCAR race next year. “Maybe Dale Jr. or Bubba can get Jayden to attend a race in the future.”

This gesture by Daniels also caught the attention of 23XI Racing star, Bubba Wallace. He took to his Instagram account and acknowledged the shout-out by sharing the social media post by the Washington Commanders. “YESSSSIRR,” this is what Wallace wrote on X, and then he shared this post on Instagram; he also tagged Daniels in his IG story.

For the most part, Dale Jr. has been the one who is seen as the poster child or the flag bearer of NASCAR. Although he has retired from competitive racing, he still remains to be among the most influential voices in the NASCAR community. Therefore, this shout-out to Wallace and 23XI Racing was a welcoming change for this race fan. “I actually like that he’s wearing a current driver. Legends are great, but it’s time for some of the current drivers to get repped a little bit.”

All the work behind the scenes at NASCAR seems to be paying off. With more elaborate events and plans announced for the 2025 season, it’s fair to say NASCAR is on the right trajectory to reclaim its former glory.