What Michael Jordan in NASCAR could do for Bubba Wallace and racing

Michael Jordan is coming to NASCAR. And as one of the most recognizable athletes in the world, his presence in the sport is going to make a lot of noise. It’s an assist the struggling organization could definitely use, especially as many of its stars who transcended the sport have retired in recent years.

Jordan is teaming up with Denny Hamlin, a Jordan-brand driver and friend of his, to form a new NASCAR team starting in 2021, they announced Monday night.

In a statement, they said they purchased the charter team from Germain Racing, which makes Jordan the first Black majority owner of a full-time Cup team since NASCAR Hall of Famer Wendell Scott in the 1960s and ’70s.

Although we don’t know the name of the team, its manufacturer or what number will be on the car — though No. 23 would certainly be an educated guess — its lone driver will be Bubba Wallace, who signed a multi-year deal.

Wallace has driven for Richard Petty Motorsports in his first three full-time seasons at NASCAR’s top level, but despite an improved performance this season, he’s still looking for his first victory. He announced earlier this month his plan to leave the team.

He previously said he wants a family-like team atmosphere but also a competitive car. And he told For The Win he thinks this deal can do both. He said:

“There’s a lot that’s still on the table to iron out and sort through. So it’s super important to me to feel a part of the team, but it’s also really important to go out and win races and be the best I can be. So as long as we set that up, there shouldn’t be any reason why this deal won’t be successful.”

Wallace called the deal “a unique, once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” and he added in the release:

“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.”

Hamlin tweeted: “Deciding on a driver was easy.” And following the announcement, Wallace received an abundance of support from those in NASCAR and the greater racing world, including Formula 1 superstar Lewis Hamilton.

More from the announcement:

“Starting a race team has been something that Michael and I have talked about while playing golf together over the years, but the timing or circumstances were never really right,” said the 39-year-old Hamlin. “It just makes sense now to lay the foundation for my racing career after I’m done driving and also help an up-and-coming driver like Bubba take his career to a higher level. Plus, Michael and Bubba can be a powerful voice together, not only in our sport, but also well beyond it.”

Through 105 races in the No. 43 car, Wallace has nine top-10 finishes but just three top-5s, including being the runner-up in the 2018 Daytona 500 — the highest finish in the race for a full-time rookie.

In 2020, he’s had five top-10 finishes, and he came in fifth in the Coke Zero Sugar 400 at Daytona International Speedway in August.

Wallace is the only Black driver in the NASCAR Cup Series, and he skyrocketed to international stardom this summer because of his anti-racism efforts within and outside of NASCAR. He led the successful effort to get NASCAR to ban the Confederate Flag, and he ran a Black Lives Matter paint scheme earlier this season.

He’s also spoken out against police brutality disproportionally impacting Black people, worn a “Black Lives Matter t-shirt at the track before races and encouraged Black sports fans to support NASCAR.

Michael Jordan practices waving the green flag before the NASCAR All-Star Race in 2010. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)

Jordan said in a statement he’s a lifelong NASCAR fan. But he also recognized the impact this team could have on the mostly white sport and its recent efforts to be more inclusive. Jordan said:

“The opportunity to own my own racing team in partnership with my friend, Denny Hamlin, and to have Bubba Wallace driving for us, is very exciting for me. Historically, NASCAR has struggled with diversity and there have been few Black owners. The timing seemed perfect as NASCAR is evolving and embracing social change more and more. In addition to the recent commitment and donations I have made to combat systemic racism, I see this as a chance to educate a new audience and open more opportunities for Black people in racing.”

In addition to those opportunities, Wallace should have the resources for a more competitive or even winning car, between the sponsors he’s expected to bring with him, along with any new ones who may be eager to join the sport.

The potential for more sponsors and more fans in NASCAR seems monumental at this point.

Former NBA great Brad Daugherty is currently the only Black co-owner of a full-time Cup team, JTG Daugherty Racing. He’s also part of NBC Sports’ NASCAR broadcast team and said Jordan joining the sport never would have happened a few years ago.

Daugherty also called the new team a “big momentum shift for this sport culturally” and said that the “eyeballs are going to be incredible.” He continued, via NBC Sports:

“The opportunity for entrance into the sport will be made more available as far as people being aware of the availability to get involved in NASCAR as a fan or as a business. There’s just so many different areas that will light up just because of who he is and what he represents. His entire legacy creates opportunity for everyone.

“Now, we start talking diversity with what he’s able to do from a corporate standpoint and also just from a legacy standpoint with his brand. It’s going to be exciting.”

NASCAR needs a driver and personality like Bubba, and it needs the jolt of energy and new fans Michael Jordan will surely bring.