Michael Jordan, best known for his storied basketball career, has become an influential force in NASCAR—particularly in shaping Kurt Busch’s NASCAR legacy and changing the sport’s future. Through his role as co-owner of 23XI Racing and pivotal involvement in key legal battles, Jordan’s impact reached new heights, as revealed during a recent Hall of Fame ceremony in North Carolina.
Michael Jordan’s Entry into NASCAR and Legal Triumph
Jordan’s foray into NASCAR began with the purchase and co-founding of 23XI Racing alongside Denny Hamlin in 2021. Though many recognize Jordan as a six-time NBA champion with the Chicago Bulls, his achievements in motorsports include a critical victory in a landmark charter lawsuit against NASCAR’s governing body late last year. This legal win altered the sport’s trajectory, ensuring better competitive and financial opportunities for independent teams.
Kurt Busch’s Unexpected Return to the NASCAR Circuit
At a time when 23XI Racing was getting started, the team needed a seasoned driver who could help guide its direction. Kurt Busch, a Cup Series champion with 34 race wins, was contemplating retirement until the team’s leadership—Jordan and Hamlin—reached out to him. This moment became a turning point both for Busch’s career and for 23XI Racing’s ambitions.
Busch, now a Hall of Fame inductee, shared at the recent ceremony how he was planning to step away from racing, but phone calls from Hamlin and Jordan changed his path. The significance of Jordan’s words during their first conversation left a lasting impression on Busch, giving him the drive to take on a new challenge with the team.
A Pivotal Conversation with Michael Jordan
During the ceremony, Busch recounted their initial meeting, describing how Jordan’s approach motivated him to continue racing.
“When I met Michael Jordan for the first time, he asked me, ‘Do you know why I want to hire you to start the second car for 23XI?’ I said, ‘No, sir, why?’ He said, ‘You race the same way that I play the game in basketball. You race from your heart.’”
— Michael Jordan, 23XI Co-Owner
This moment reignited Busch’s passion for racing and convinced him to lead the No. 45 23XI entry. It was a turning point that shaped not only the closing chapter of his own racing story, but also a new phase for the team itself.
Busch’s Achievements with 23XI Racing
Reenergized by Jordan’s confidence, Busch brought his experience to the young organization, quickly making an impact. Over 20 starts during the 2022 season, he secured one victory for 23XI Racing at Kansas and achieved five additional top-five finishes. These results validated Jordan’s instincts in selecting Busch to help guide the new team.
In his farewell at the Hall of Fame, Busch acknowledged the collective effort behind his final racing chapter:
“Thank you, Denny, Curtis, Steve, Billy Scott, and crew for that final dance,”
— Kurt Busch, NASCAR Hall of Fame Inductee
His gratitude was directed toward those who supported him during this emotionally charged period, underscoring the lasting bonds formed within 23XI.
An Abrupt End and Ongoing Legacy
Despite a storybook resurgence, Busch’s racing career concluded suddenly after a crash during a qualifying session at Pocono led to a concussion. The injury forced him to miss the remainder of the 2022 season and ultimately marked the end of his tenure as a NASCAR driver. Even so, the collaboration with Jordan and the renewed excitement for racing remain lasting highlights of Busch’s legacy in the sport.
Michael Jordan’s influence, from championing team success to mentoring experienced athletes like Busch, continues to leave its mark on NASCAR. As the sport evolves, both new and established figures—like Jordan, Hamlin, and Busch—play critical roles in shaping its future, ensuring that stories of resilience and innovation thrive on and off the track.
Kurt Busch reveals in his @NASCARHall speech that he was ready to retire after 2021, but phone calls from @dennyhamlin and Michael Jordan convinced him to give a @23XIRacing expansion team a try to establish the No. 45 team. #NASCAR pic.twitter.com/1xoJK0cgAR
— Peter Stratta (@peterstratta) January 24, 2026
