MJ creates NASCAR team with Bubba Wallace as a driver

Photo by D. Myles Cullen • Public domain Michael Jordan, former basketball star and majority owner of the Charlotte Bobcats, at the National Basketball Association’s board of governors meeting in New York, April 17, 2014.

Basketball legend “His Airness” Michael Jordan has agreed to purchase a NASCAR Cup Series Charter with his friend who was the first NASCAR driver with an endorsement by Jordan Brand Denny Hamlin. Hamlin will also be a minority owner of the single-car team.
Bubba Wallace will be the driver when the 2021 NASCAR Cup Series season begins.

BREAKING NEWS: Michael Jordan, @dennyhamlin announce new NASCAR Cup Series team in 2021, featuring @BubbaWallace as their driver.

Details: https://t.co/EwR56T9Xez pic.twitter.com/A4rvWXdGZ2

— NASCAR (@NASCAR) September 22, 2020

“Growing up in North Carolina, my parents would take my brothers, sisters and me to races, and I’ve been a NASCAR fan my whole life,” Jordan said in a news release.

The Jordan-Hamlin ownership group indicated that the organization’s name, manufacturer affiliation, car number, sponsors and other details would be announced later.

In a statement NASCAR said, “We proudly welcome Michael Jordan into the NASCAR family, and look forward to watching Michael, Denny Hamlin and Bubba Wallace compete in 2021. Michael is an iconic sports figure and celebrated champion whose fiercely competitive nature has placed him among the greatest athletes of all time. His presence at NASCAR’s top level will further strengthen the competition, excitement and momentum growing around our sport. We wish Michael and his team tremendous success.”

pic.twitter.com/83GcHDdb02

— NASCAR (@NASCAR) September 22, 2020

Hamlin will remain a driver of the No. 11 Toyota for Joe Gibbs Racing, where his Cup Series career began in 2005. Hamlin said “deciding on a driver was easy — it had to be Bubba Wallace.”

“This is a unique, once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that I believe is a great fit for me at this point in my career. Both Michael and Denny are great competitors and are focused on building the best team they possibly can to go out and compete for race wins. I’m grateful and humbled that Michael and Denny believe in me and I’m super pumped to begin this adventure with them.” said Wallace.