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Sports Illustrated
Sports Illustrated
Karl Rasmussen

Denny Hamlin Jokes About Michael Jordan’s NASCAR Focus After Hornets Sale

Michael Jordan’s sale of the Hornets has left him with a bit more time on his hands. Apparently, he’s using some of that newfound freedom to become more invested in his NASCAR team.

According to racing legend Denny Hamlin, who is a co-partner and the current driver for the Michael Jordan-Denny Hamlin NASCAR team, 23XI Racing, the 60-year-old has become increasingly involved following the sale of the NBA franchise.

“Certainly, he's involved in more meetings. Now he wants to be on every branding e-mail. I'm like, ‘Oh boy, this could be interesting.' So, yeah, I think he has some more time and perhaps he's gonna use that more on the race team,” Hamlin said to reporters on Saturday morning, via Bob Pockrass.

The $3 billion sale of Jordan’s majority stake in Charlotte’s NBA franchise was made official on Thursday. He had been a majority owner of the team since 2010. Hamlin joked that he still intends to keep his Hornets season tickets despite Jordan’s exit from the organization.

No longer as involved in NBA ownership, Hamlin has already seen Jordan more present within the NASCAR team’s operations, something he indicated that he expects will continue to increase. 

Hamlin and Jordan founded 23XI Racing in 2020 which currently fields three cars in the NASCAR Cup Series, No. 23, No. 45, and No. 67. 

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