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Denny Hamlin, Michael Jordan to field Cup team for Bubba Wallace
NASCAR Cup Series star Denny Hamlin confirmed Monday night he will be involved in fielding a team in 2021 along with NBA legend Michael Jordan that will feature Bubba Wallace as its driver.
Jim Utter
Edited: Sep 23, 2020, 9:10 AM
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In an announcement first posted on Twitter Monday night, Hamlin said he and NBA Charlotte Hornets owner Jordan would field an as-yet unnamed team beginning in 2021.
Wallace has signed a multi-year deal to be the team’s driver.
“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 Hamlin, 39. “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.”
Jordan will serve as principal owner of the new team with Hamlin as a minority partner while he continues to drive the No. 11 Toyota Camry for Joe Gibbs Racing.
Hamlin and Jordan said they have purchased the charter from Germain Racing’s No. 13 team to ensure the new team can participate in every race.
“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,” said Jordan. “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.”
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The name, car number, manufacturer, sponsors and other details for the new team will be announced at a future date.
Sources told Motorsport.com, the team is considering utilizing the No. 23, Jordan’s uniform number during the majority of his playing career with the Chicago Bulls.
“This is a unique, once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that I believe is a great fit for me at this point in my career,” said Wallace, the Cup Series’ only fulltime African-American driver.
“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.”
NASCAR tweeted a statement to "proudly welcome Michael Jordan into the NASCAR family".
Wallace, who announced Sept. 10 he would not return to Richard Petty Motorsports next season, has been among the most vocal leading NASCAR’s response to racial injustice protests across the country this summer.
He has recently signed several prominent sponsorship deals including Beats by Dre, Columbia Sportswear, DoorDash and Cash App.
Wallace has had his most competitive season in Cup since his fulltime debut in 2018. He has one top-five and five top-10 finishes and is currently ranked 23rd in the series standings. He also owns six career wins in the NASCAR Truck Series and six in K&N Pro Series East (now ARCA East).
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