Two-time NASCAR Cup Series champion Kyle Busch has disclosed that he previously held discussions with Michael Jordan concerning a potential switch to 23XI Racing. Jordan is a co-founder and co-owner of the team, which has been steadily progressing since its inception in 2021, highlighted by their regular season championship win with Tyler Reddick in 2024.
In an alternative scenario, Busch might have celebrated that success with 23XI Racing. His wife, Samantha, shared her feelings about still being starstruck by the six-time NBA champion at the racetrack. She revealed that Jordan once reached out to Busch, confirming that it was regarding a possible transition to the team. “You remember when Joe Gibbs fired me?” Busch expressed during an interview on the Bert Kreischer YouTube channel.
“I had to talk to Michael Jordan about hiring me,” he continued, adding, “It was a work call…I wasn’t fanboying on him or anything, but Samantha fangirls on him all the time.”
Ultimately, the move did not materialize, leading Busch to sign with Richard Childress Racing before the 2022 season. Since then, he has achieved three wins in the No. 8 Chevrolet, although the last victory occurred at World Wide Technology Raceway in 2023.
Whether a move to 23XI Racing may occur in the future is uncertain, especially since Busch’s contract with RCR expires at the end of this season. Despite speculation about his future, Busch made it clear that retirement is not currently on his agenda. Earlier in the season, he mentioned that while retirement was a consideration three years ago, he remains passionate about racing. “I think daily, you kind of work through those things and thoughts and where you wanna be and what you want to do,” he explained. “When you’re still out here being able to enjoy what you’re doing, working with your team and continuing to try to improve RCR and improve the program and get it to where we all want it and put ourselves in Victory Lane, we’re gonna keep working at it.”
This potential move toward 23XI Racing remains a topic of interest as fans and analysts alike speculate what Busch’s next steps will be. The combination of his talent and competitive spirit makes any future transition worth keeping an eye on, especially in a sport that is continually evolving.
