Denny Hamlin explains what it means to win in front of Michael Jordan
There’s nothing like winning in front of the greatest of all time, just ask Denny Hamlin.
Hamlin captured victory while Michael Jordan was in attendance at Bristol on Saturday. Of course, Hamlin’s relationship with Jordan is unique, as the two are friends, business partners and go way back throughout Hamlin’s career.
Nevertheless, the thrill remains the same. Hamlin elaborated on what that feeling was like following Saturday’s race at Bristol.
“I have not,” Hamlin responded, asked if he talked to Jordan after his victory. “It was a big weekend for the 45 car, Jay on the car, that clab. I was being a fan boy in the middle of practice. Taking pictures of Tyler Reddick’s suit. Make sure I get that suit after this weekend. Really cool the crossover stuff they’re doing.
“Yeah, I’m jealous at times of the paint schemes, jealous of the M.J. stuff that Tyler gets to run. We’re still partners. Michael views us winning just like he does our race team. He says every weekend he has three chances to win, so this one he won.”
Alas, it was a fantastic weekend for Hamlin, Jordan and 23XI Racing as a whole. Hamlin found Victory Lane, but both Bubba Wallace and Tyler Reddick moved on to the next round of the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs. That’s a huge accomplishment for a team that’s still so young into their time in NASCAR.
Both Denny Hamlin and Michael Jordan are ultra-competitive, and they’ve brought some flair to NASCAR with 23XI Racing. Perhaps a championship is in the team’s future, and we’ll be keeping a close eye on things over the next couple of months.
Bubba Wallace ’emotional’ after advancing to the Round of 12
Moreover, Jordan’s driver Bubba Wallace experienced a wealth of emotions after advancing to the Round of 12 at Bristol on Saturday.
The 23XI Racing wheelman proved his doubters wrong, and gave his supporters new life as he moved into the next round of the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs. While Wallace has yet to win on the season, he still remains in the hunt for the ultimate prize, the Cup Series title.
Speaking with the media afterwards, Wallace explained how special the accomplishment was for him, and where he goes from here.
“Trying to gather my thoughts and man, just emotional,” Wallace said. “I said to myself out loud – not on the radio – ‘Proud of you, kid.’ And we all know I rarely do that. Just, way to stick with it. Tried to throw it away a couple of times. Got frustrated with myself, frustrated with others, but it all worked out. What you need to do is execute.
“This is a special day and gotta cherish it, but can’t get complacent. We know Texas is up. We’re OK there. But we’ve gotta come out swinging and come out on the right end of it.”