In a bold fusion of motorsports and sneaker culture, Michael Jordan’s 23XI Racing has introduced a striking new 23XI Racing sneaker-inspired paint scheme for the upcoming 2025 Chicago Street Race, blending the legacy of the Air Jordan 1 with the excitement of NASCAR. The standout livery, showcased on Tyler Reddick’s No. 45 car, celebrates the 10th anniversary of the revered Air Jordan 1 Retro Hi OG “Shattered Backboard” and brings Jordan Brand flair from the basketball court to the racing circuit.
Bridging Streetwear Style with NASCAR Tradition
Michael Jordan’s influence is renowned across the worlds of basketball, sneakers, and now motorsports. Since launching 23XI Racing in 2021, the team has built a reputation for forward-thinking and visually compelling car designs. This latest tribute is not merely about aesthetics—it draws upon years of cultural significance, connecting with fans who admire the crossover between sneaker heritage and race-day spectacle. The collaboration between the racing team and its fans has been pivotal; earlier this year, 23XI Insiders had the opportunity to participate directly in selecting the pit car livery, a move that highlights 23XI’s commitment to inclusion and creativity within its fan community.
This inclusive atmosphere set the stage for what is turning heads in Chicago. As anticipation builds for the 2025 street race, it’s the No. 45 car driven by Tyler Reddick that is drawing particular attention. The car’s paint scheme mirrors the black-and-orange palette of the Air Jordan 1 “Shattered Backboard,” incorporating the distinctive broken glass motif that sneaker collectors and basketball historians alike will instantly recognize. The crossover is more than a simple nod—it’s a visual testament to how far Jordan’s influence stretches, from hardwood to asphalt.
Sneaker and racing communities alike have seized on the announcement. As Sole Retriever captured the excitement:
MJ’s No. 45 driven by @tyler_reddick will do a ‘Shattered Backboard’ Air Jordan 1 theme for this weekend’s Chicago Street Race.
—Sole Retriever, Instagram
This shared enthusiasm underscores how 23XI Racing and Michael Jordan’s brand understand the importance of storytelling through design. The result isn’t just another race car—it’s a centerpiece that spotlights the deep connections between sport, style, and personal history.
Celebrating the Air Jordan 1’s Legendary Origins and Recent Milestone
The 2025 introduction of this unique livery is carefully timed to coincide with the reissue of the Air Jordan 1 High OG “Shattered Backboard,” marking its 10th anniversary. The updated sneaker will launch on July 12, offering a full-family size run and carrying a retail price of $180. Sneaker enthusiasts and collectors can expect the same premium leather construction and iconic colorway as the original release, but this edition is further elevated with a shattered-glass themed box and customized insoles—small touches that matter a great deal to dedicated fans.
The Air Jordan 1 “Shattered Backboard” is not just a coveted collectible; it tells a remarkable story. Revisiting the origins, the inspiration harks back to a defining moment that took place four decades ago. In the mid-1980s, a young Michael Jordan was still making his name in basketball, newly signed to Nike, and sent to Trieste, Italy for a special exhibition match designed to introduce him to European audiences. Clad in the orange and black jersey of team Stefanel Trieste, Jordan soared high for a dunk so powerful it shattered the backboard—a feat that became instantly legendary in both basketball and sneaker folklore.
To commemorate this feat, Nike later released the Air Jordan 1 “Shattered Backboard” in a vibrant orange, black, and white colorway—echoing the team uniform MJ wore during that iconic dunk. This special edition dropped nearly thirty years after the original event and reignited interest not only in the story but in the broader connection between sports milestones and sneaker design. Due to enormous demand, Nike followed up with the “Reverse Shattered Backboard,” a women’s satin exclusive, and even seasonal variants such as a glossy, Halloween-inspired model in subsequent years. For collectors and fans, the “Shattered Backboard” symbolizes a unique intersection of athletic achievement and cultural storytelling.
Thanks to 23XI Racing, this theme now leaves the sneaker boutique and enters the fast-lane, further immortalizing the story on the streets of Chicago during one of the most-watched races of the NASCAR season.
Fan Collaboration Drives Team Spirit and Visual Impact
From the beginning, 23XI Racing set itself apart through its fan-driven approach. The team’s willingness to invite its Insiders and followers into the design process has cultivated a powerful sense of ownership and enthusiasm among supporters. Earlier this season, fans were able to help choose the new pit car livery, a decision-making process that proved both popular and successful. This collaborative energy is evident in every aspect of the team’s presentation, and it was essential to the emergence of the new sneaker-inspired scheme.
The finished product, as seen on Tyler Reddick’s car for the Chicago Street Race, doesn’t just align with Jordan Brand’s legacy of innovation; it also strengthens the emotional connection between the team and its backers in an era where sports fans seek inclusion and authenticity from their favorite organizations. As the sporting world continues to blend communities, cultures, and styles, the decision to celebrate a sneaker anniversary on the NASCAR stage draws new audiences and highlights how racing aesthetics can resonate beyond traditional motorsport boundaries.
The Lasting Impact: Culture, Competition, and the Future
As 23XI Racing rolls out its latest paint schemes for the Chicago Street Race, the spotlit 23XI Racing sneaker-inspired paint scheme serves as a celebration of both creative expression and sporting excellence. For Michael Jordan and the team, the tribute goes well beyond commemoration—it brings together NBA history, sneakerhead obsession, and NASCAR’s evolving culture under one roaring engine.
This milestone not only underscores Michael Jordan’s ongoing influence in sport and lifestyle but also signals NASCAR’s willingness to embrace bold, unconventional ideas. With the Air Jordan 1 “Shattered Backboard” returning to shelves and Reddick’s vehicle taking center stage in Chicago, collectors and fans will find themselves immersed in yet another chapter of Jordan’s enduring impact on American culture and beyond. As the event unfolds, all eyes will be on how this dynamic blend of passion, nostalgia, and high-octane racing inspires further collaborations between brands and fans in the years ahead.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Who is the CEO of 23XI Racing?
A. Hall of Fame basketball player Michael Jordan and Denny Hamlin, a Joe Gibbs Racing driver and three-time Daytona 500 champion, own and run it.
Q. Does Michael Jordan own 23XI Racing?
A. Along with Jordan, Polk and driver Denny Hamlin also own 23XI Racing. Before the 2016 season, teams competed for the charters, which have been renewed twice since.
