DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — 23XI Racing will have an expanded NASCAR operation this year and bigger goals. The Cup Series team co-owned by NBA legend Michael Jordan and Denny Hamlin is aiming to produce multiple playoff-worthy seasons.
Hamlin said he’d like to see both of his team’s cars — which includes the new No. 45 Toyota driven by former Chip Ganassi Racing driver Kurt Busch — advance to the series’ 16-car playoffs this year. That quest will start this weekend when the Cup Series season officially kicks off in Daytona Beach with the Daytona 500 on Sunday.
Busch won at least one race in the last eight seasons of his career. He made the playoffs last year with a win at Atlanta, and was eliminated from postseason contention before the Round of 12. The veteran driver said his expectations for this year are similarly ambitious despite the move to the young team.
