Race: Bubba Wallace – Hamlin Reveals How a “Fake News” Article Inspired Michael Jordan to Get Into NASCAR Ownership

Usually, the narrative and the reality is that fake news causes problems. But in some cases, some very rare cases, it can result in the opposite of problems. Just look at the origin story of 23XI Racing, the NASCAR team owned by Denny Hamlin and Michael Jordan.

This was a revelation that came to light in the recent Netflix docu series, ‘Race: Bubba Wallace.’

In the second episode, Denny Hamlin, the driver for Joe Gibbs Racing, recalled an incident one normal day during the lockdown of 2020. Hamlin described how team ownership had always been something that “really piqued” his interest, how he viewed it as his “long-term plan” to stay in NASCAR.

“And then a news article came out, kind of one that wasn’t really real. It says, ‘A current NASCAR driver Denny Hamlin and Michael Jordan looking to purchase a stake.’ And I think it was just a speculative article,” he said.

Hamlin then went on to send that article to Michael Jordan, who immediately had an amusing reaction – “HA, HA. Obviously fake news.”

“But if you want to make it real news, let me know,” Jordan added.

That was all Denny Hamlin needed. Because a day or two later, he flew down to Florida, met with Jordan, and proposed a business plan to him. “Let me vet it, and we’ll get back to you,” Jordan said.

And well, he got back.

The 23XI Racing Team was formed, and the catalyst was a fake news article.

Michael Jordan gave the most Michael Jordan advice to Bubba Wallace

In a recent interview, 23XI Racing driver Bubba Wallace revealed the advice his boss, Michael Jordan gave him.

“When we were talking about having bad luck at a race he said, ‘there’s no such thing as bad luck you create your own luck’ and I was like right I’ll never speak of bad luck again,” Wallace said.

To no one’s surprise, Michael Jordan is the kind of a competitor who, whatever he does, he wants to win at it. Such is also the case with 23XI Racing. Because while many may see it from a cynical lens, thinking that Jordan is simply adding to his portfolio.

But to Michael Jordan, it’s another opportunity to win, to prove himself a winner in yet another walk of life.

Luckily, the rest of the members of 23XI Racing also share the same goals.