North Carolina great Michael Jordan looking to build HQ for NASCAR team
One of the greatest basketball players of all time is taking the next step forward in his newest venture. Yesterday, it was reported that Jordan is looking to build a new headquarters near Charlotte, North Carolina for his NASCAR team, 23XI Racing.
The Sports Business Journal reports that Jordan’s NASCAR team has bought land near Charlotte for $3.7M to potentially build a new HQ, according to property filings cited by the Charlotte Business Journal.
This year, Jordan’s team has operated as a single-car team out of Mooresville, North Carolina. With plans to expand to a two-car team in 2022, it’s no surprise that 23XI Racing is looking for a new headquarters.
Moreover, the best teams in the sport operate out of beautiful headquarters littered throughout the state. In the greater Charlotte area alone, teams like Hendrick Motorsports, Stewart-Haas Racing and Joe Gibbs Racing operate.
In addition to Jordan, NASCAR driver Denny Hamlin is the team’s minority partner. While Hamlin drives for the aforementioned Joe Gibbs Racing, he’s been a guiding light for the basketball legend throughout the venture.
Currently, 23XI racing employs Bubba Wallace as their lone driver. However, it’s been an adjustment for all involved. In the team inaugural season, Wallace has driven Jordan’s car to one top-five finish.
With a new headquarters on the horizon, Jordan and his team will look to improve by leaps and bounds. The six-time NBA Champion has said he didn’t get into NASCAR to lose. He’s taking the necessary measures to give his team the best chance of success.
Jordan’s 23XI Racing adds Kurt Busch
As they expand their operations, Jordan’s team announced that NASCAR great Kurt Busch will join their team next season. The 2004 NASCAR Nextel Cup Series Champion will drive the #45 car in 2022. Additionally, he’s bringing Monster Energy along with him as a sponsor.
“We got out guy,” tweeted the team’s Twitter account following the announcement.
Hamlin, Jordan’s business partner and Busch’s on-track competitor, gave his thoughts in a team press release.
“When we started this team, our vision was to grow to a multi-car organization. To be able to expand in just our second year is a huge step for us,” Hamlin said in a team release. “Kurt brings a wealth of knowledge and a championship mindset to our team, and will be able to help us grow stronger and more competitive each and every week.”
Additionally, Busch’s comments lend credence to why Jordan tabbed him as his driver.
“I cannot begin to express my gratitude for this opportunity,” Busch said in a team release. “Racing to win is what I live for. Helping to continue developing a new team, alongside Michael Jordan, Denny Hamlin, and Toyota is exactly what I want to be part of. Winning is important to 23XI, it’s important to Monster Energy, and it’s important to me. That is our goal.”
Michael Jordan boasts one of the most impressive resumes in sports history. With a new headquarters and Busch on the way, the owner of 23XI Racing could add a bevy of NASCAR victories to said resume.