Denny Hamlin and Michael Jordan have made 23XI Racing one of the most formidable organizations in the NASCAR Cup Series. The team started the 2026 season on a good note and appears on track to compete for its first championship. But to what extent are responsibilities and involvement shared between the two owners in this unique partnership?
Jordan said afterwards Tyler Reddick‘s three straight wins to start the season that he was just the money behind the operation, and that it was Hamlin who made things happen on the field. In a recent interview with CNBC Television, Reddick was asked how true this statement was. He responded by detailing the virtues of his team’s two owners.
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Reddick thinks Hamlin in particular deserves more credit for his work. He said, “Everyone has been talking about Michael throughout this whole thing. And I think I could be wrong, but I think Denny Hamlin deserves a lot of credit as well.
“What they started here together, the ownership group that they put together to make 23XI Racing what it is today. It takes a group effort. It really is,” THE 23XI Race star added.
Reddick said Hamlin played a major role in building the team to what it is today, and went on to talk about Hamlin’s infectious enthusiasm for their newest racing shop, Airspeed. Hamlinhad accompanied him throughout the project while it was still under construction and had shared his vision with great enthusiasm.
This energy has Reddick completely addicted to this day. He considers himself lucky to have two accomplished individuals, Jordan and Hamlin, leading his team. He also refused to accept Jordan’s claim that he is just the money behind the operation, emphasizing that the basketball legend is much more than that to him and everyone on the team.
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Hamlin, the “brains” behind 23XI Racing: Jordan
The dynamic between Jordan and Hamlin works so well because they both understand what each other’s strengths are and play accordingly. Jordan showed great respect and admiration for Hamlin when he said the veteran was the one who deserved credit for the organization’s success.
from Jordan words after Reddick’s COTA victory were, “I think a lot of credit goes to him because I think he’s the mastermind behind finding Tyler and setting up, you know, Billy Scott and all that. Look, I just put in the money. I’m just a competitor. But I think Denny has done an incredible job helping build this team.
Turn the camera on Hamlin, and he would say the same thing about the Chicago Bulls legend. As Reddick said, putting together an operation like this is rarely an individual effort. It takes exceptional individuals to work together. Hopefully 23XI Racing will maintain this form throughout the rest of the season.
The position Denny Hamlin is just as, if not more, important to 23XI Racing in NASCAR than Michael Jordan appeared first on The rush to sport.
