Bubba Wallace has taken center stage in NASCAR, leading 23XI Racing’s fast rise under the unwavering values of team co-owner Michael Jordan. Since joining the series in 2020, the team—founded by Jordan and Denny Hamlin—has evolved from an ambitious newcomer to a force fueled by the same intensity that defined Jordan’s legendary NBA career. Wallace, the first Black full-time driver in decades at NASCAR’s premier level, has driven the team’s progress, facing challenges, scrutiny, and pressure, but always pushing forward as Jordan’s ambitious philosophy shapes every lap and every decision.
Bubba Wallace’s journey with 23XI Racing truly began to garner acclaim during the 2021 season, when he captured his first career win at the Talladega Superspeedway. That moment marked more than just a personal milestone; it signaled the arrival of Jordan’s influence in NASCAR. Wallace’s victory broke barriers and silenced doubters, yet it only hinted at the resilience and mental toughness that Jordan’s leadership continues to demand from his drivers. Competing in a sport dominated by tradition and intense rivalries, Wallace has consistently shown perseverance, earning a growing collection of top-five and top-ten finishes amidst frequent clashes both on and off the track.
His drive, however, is not forged in isolation. Wallace openly credits Michael Jordan for instilling the courage and competitive mindset that he relies on each race weekend. “MJ taught me,” Wallace confessed in a revealing interview with Fox Sports.
Wallace reflected on his early hesitations, recalling reluctance to join the Cup garage due to the stoic attitudes of veteran drivers. Yet under Jordan’s guidance, he embraces the emotional intensity and cutthroat edge needed to thrive in NASCAR.
Wallace’s performance this year highlights the results of Jordan’s mentorship. Already in this season, he has added four top-ten finishes and two top-fives to his record, demonstrating his evolution as a contender and his deepening resilience under the brightest lights. Each race for Wallace is a demonstration of Jordan’s legacy—competitive, unapologetic, and focused on results over excuses.
Tyler Reddick, Wallace’s teammate at 23XI Racing, experiences similar pressure and inspiration under Jordan’s ownership. Reddick, who won the 2024 Cup Series regular season championship and narrowly missed a title, points to Jordan’s standards as a constant motivator.
Reddick shared. He elaborated on the intense dedication that pervades the 23XI Racing team, crediting the relentless spirit that Jordan modeled throughout his athletic career.
Reddick’s statistics since joining the organization are a testament to Jordan’s impact. Out of 27 tracks since 2022, he achieved a top-five average at five, and landed within the top-20 average in twenty-one. The direct comparison with other young drivers, like Ty Gibbs—who has yet to score a win in the same timeframe—underscores the effectiveness of a culture that demands accountability and rewards effort. Reddick openly acknowledges that joining 23XI Racing, after his tenure with Richard Childress Racing, offered the springboard necessary to unlock his racing potential with greater consistency and intensity.
Jordan’s influence, however, extends far beyond performance metrics. The culture within 23XI Racing, shaped by Jordan’s notorious trash-talking and unfiltered leadership style, creates an atmosphere where competitive banter and high expectations push both Wallace and Reddick to sharpen their skills. Denny Hamlin, Jordan’s partner and a reputed outspoken figure in NASCAR, embodies this spirit as well. Together, they cultivate a dynamic where honest feedback, no matter how blunt, is not just encouraged but expected. Jordan’s legendary trash-talking, highlighted in the acclaimed ESPN docuseries “The Last Dance,” transfers seamlessly into his role on the pit box and in the garage.
Bubba Wallace describes Jordan’s approach with appreciation and humor.
Tyler Reddick also recounted an instance at the 2023 Daytona 500, when Jordan critiqued his speedway racing skills pointedly.
These candid exchanges reinforce the idea that accountability, thick skin, and relentless striving are prerequisites for anyone driving under Jordan’s banner.
From the moment he first met Michael Jordan, Bubba Wallace sensed the significance of the values that would eventually define his trajectory.
That initial awe has since transformed into respect and a shared commitment to excellence, as Jordan’s presence and expectations echo in every team meeting and each pit stop. Jordan brought few preconceived notions about NASCAR itself, yet his rich experience overcoming adversity and his championship mentality have proven to be crucial assets for 23XI Racing’s burgeoning success story.
The rise of Bubba Wallace at 23XI Racing is inseparable from the broader cultural impact Jordan aims to create. As the only Black principal driver at NASCAR’s top level, Wallace carries the hopes of a new generation, inspired by both his on-track achievements and his resilience in the face of criticism. His battles—in spirited races with the likes of Kyle Larson in Las Vegas or Alex Bowman in Chicago—demonstrate the emotional and reputational hazards that come with breaking new ground. Despite detractors, Wallace’s continued improvement is sustained by a support system that prizes fearlessness, honesty, and the willingness to
For Wallace, the emotional strength that Jordan advocates has real consequences. Each race presents not just a contest for positions, but for pride, validation, and the fulfillment of a legacy begun decades ago on the courts of Chicago. The parallels between Jordan’s NBA dominance and Wallace’s NASCAR journey are numerous. Both faced skepticism as outsiders, both encountered fierce resistance from doubters, and both turned those challenges into motivation. Wallace’s career, shaped in no small part by Jordan’s fierce values, stands as proof of the impact a determined and visionary leader can have when they invest in talent and refuse to lower their standards.
At the organizational level, the culture of 23XI Racing is a blend of mutual respect, high expectations, and unapologetic honesty. No single driver is spared from Jordan’s scrutiny, nor are they denied his encouragement when it is truly earned. For the athletes, this is both a gift and a challenge. The relentless push for improvement never relents—even after wins or breakthrough moments. Under Jordan’s watchful eye, both Wallace and Reddick have learned that satisfaction is fleeting and every achievement is merely the starting point for the next goal.
This philosophy extends to the team’s collaborative dynamic. Unlike some sports franchises where fierce internal rivalries can breed resentment, at 23XI Racing the competition is both individual and collective. Teammates push one another to higher standards, take accountability for mistakes, and remain determined to improve with each race. The chemistry fostered by Jordan and Hamlin is evident each weekend as the team adapts new strategies, learns from setbacks, and builds on successes. It is a culture where personal responsibility, humility, and ambition coexist, forming a foundation on which Wallace’s confidence has flourished.
Bubba Wallace’s progression, in turn, becomes a blueprint for aspiring drivers across NASCAR and beyond. His willingness to speak candidly about the pressures facing him, from being in the media spotlight to engaging with passionate fans and intense rivals, offers a rare look behind the curtain at one of America’s most demanding sports. Wallace encourages others to embrace the same values he learns from Jordan—truthfulness, vigilance, perseverance—and to remain focused on controlling what is within reach even when external forces threaten to distract or derail progress.
Michael Jordan’s investment in NASCAR, and specifically in the careers of Bubba Wallace and Tyler Reddick, has already shifted the narrative of what it means to compete at the highest level. His fusion of competitive drive, psychological edge, and relentless self-belief has compelled both drivers to evolve not just as athletes, but as role models for integrity and ambition. As Wallace continues to accumulate top finishes and Reddick consistently carves his path into victory lanes, the culture seeded by Jordan gains further legitimacy in a sport known for its ruthless competitiveness and storied traditions.
Looking forward, the impact of Jordan’s philosophy on 23XI Racing—and particularly on Bubba Wallace—is likely to shape the team’s mindset through upcoming seasons. The enduring bond between owner and driver, forged in the fires of self-doubt, public pressure, and the soaring highs of victory, continues to define the team’s identity. Industry insiders and fans alike now see 23XI Racing as an embodiment of Michael Jordan’s legacy: undaunted by setbacks, driven by the pursuit of greatness, and guided by values that produce results on the track and inspiration off of it.
As the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series season progresses, the narrative around Bubba Wallace no longer centers solely on the struggles of breaking barriers or facing rivals. Instead, it’s broadened to encompass the realization that under Michael Jordan’s stewardship, Wallace thrives. His achievements and battles have become a testament not only to his skill but to the power of belief, mentorship, and loyalty. It is this intense, complex, and energetic environment—one cultivated by Jordan’s ethos—where Wallace and his teammates continue to grow. The blueprint they are building may well serve as the foundation for a new era at NASCAR’s highest level, one where relentless values, honest dialogue, and fearless competition create champions both on the track and in the hearts of fans.
