Michael Jordan Launches NASCAR Racing Team, Hires Bubba Wallace

From Car and Driver

One of the worst-kept secrets in NASCAR was made official late on Monday night.

Denny Hamlin and NBA legend Michael Jordan have launched a NASCAR Cup Series team in advance of the 2021 season and have selected Bubba Wallace as its inaugural driver.

The new team completed the purchase of an ownership charter from Germain Racing which simultaneously confirmed on Monday that it would close at the end of the year.

Jordan will become the first Black majority owner of a NASCAR team since Hall of Fame driver-owner Wendell Scott raced his own equipment in the 1960s and 1970s. Hamlin and Wallace are both represented by ProSport Management representative Rod Morkowitz. Wallace has signed a multi-year deal to drive for the new team. Hamlin is a Team Jordan athlete and the two have been close friends for over a decade. Jordan will serve as the majority owner of the yet to be named organization while Hamlin owns a minority stake of the team.

"Growing up in North Carolina, my parents would take my brothers, sisters, and me to races, and I've been a NASCAR fan my whole life," Jordan said in a press release. "The opportunity to own my own racing team in partnership with my friend, Denny Hamlin, and to have Bubba Wallace driving for us, is very exciting for me.

"Historically, NASCAR has struggled with diversity and there have been few Black owners. The timing seemed perfect as NASCAR is evolving and embracing social change more and more. In addition to the recent commitment and donations I have made to combat systemic racism, I see this as a chance to educate a new audience and open more opportunities for Black people in racing."

Hamlin will continue to drive the No. 11 for Joe Gibbs Racing.

"Starting a race team has been something that Michael and I have talked about while playing golf together over the years, but the timing or circumstances were never really right," said Hamlin. "It just makes sense now to lay the foundation for my racing career after I’m done driving and also help an up-and-coming driver like Bubba take his career to a higher level. Plus, Michael and Bubba can be a powerful voice together, not only in our sport, but also well beyond it."

Wallace confirmed last month that he was leaving Richard Petty Motorsports; he has driven for that team since the 2017 season.

"This is a unique, once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that I believe is a great fit for me at this point in my career," said Wallace. "Both Michael and Denny are great competitors and are focused on building the best team they possibly can to go out and compete for race wins. I’m grateful and humbled that Michael and Denny believe in me and I’m super pumped to begin this adventure with them."