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Kansas City, KS – The competitive spirit between Denny Hamlin and Michael Jordan, co-owners of NASCAR Cup Series team 23XI Racing, was palpably present at Kansas Speedway during the AdventHealth 400. Despite their successful business partnership, a deep-seated rivalry between the veteran driver and the basketball icon fuels their interactions on race days, a dynamic that came to the forefront after a dramatic finish at the 1.5-mile oval.
Hamlin, a prominent figure in NASCAR and a key driver for Joe Gibbs Racing through the end of the 2025 season, continues to compete against the very cars he co-owns at 23XI Racing. This unique arrangement fosters an environment where friendly, yet pointed, banter is common. Sources close to the team indicate that Hamlin frequently engages in "talking shit," a colloquialism he himself uses, with Jordan when they are trackside. This playful antagonism, however, underscores a genuine desire for success for their shared venture, even when it means one owner potentially besting the other.
The recent Kansas race saw Hamlin lead a significant portion of the laps, a testament to his skill and the performance of his No. 11 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota. However, the victory ultimately slipped through his grasp, claimed by Tyler Reddick, driver of the No. 45 23XI Racing machine. This outcome left Hamlin, by his own admission, "deeply frustrated."
It was in the immediate aftermath of the race, while Hamlin was still processing the disappointing conclusion on pit road, that Jordan approached his business partner. The interaction, captured by FOX Sports cameras, highlighted the personal stakes involved.
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"Look, I’m racing against Denny," Jordan stated in a post-race interview. "I really wanted to beat him because I know we’re going to talk a lot of trash a little bit later."
Hamlin elaborated on this dynamic during his Monday appearance on "Actions Detrimental," his widely listened-to podcast. He acknowledged Jordan’s perspective, recognizing that as a car owner, Jordan experiences the team’s successes differently.
"I mean, I don’t expect him to understand where I’m at in that moment, right," Hamlin explained. "Every other Reddick win, I’ve been split, happy, sad, happy, sad and it just kind of depends on how my day went. This one, I was full a hundred percent in my way on this one, you know what I mean. Like the emotions were all on Team 11 on that one for sure."
This sentiment underscores the internal conflict Hamlin experiences. While he is a co-owner of 23XI Racing and undoubtedly desires victories for the organization, his primary identity on race weekends remains that of a competitor driving for Joe Gibbs Racing. A win for Reddick, while a success for 23XI Racing, directly comes at the expense of Hamlin’s personal racing aspirations.
The narrative of Hamlin’s pre-race confidence and subsequent frustration was further illuminated by his own words. He revealed that he had engaged in significant "smack talk" with Jordan the night before the race, predicting a strong performance.
"I told him the same thing I said on this podcast last week, that if something weird doesn’t happen, Kansas is a guaranteed win," Hamlin recalled.
Jordan, during a casual evening on Saturday alongside fellow NASCAR drivers Ryan Blaney and Bubba Wallace, and potentially Riley Herbst, was evidently aware of Hamlin’s confidence. The group was reportedly watching the O’Reilly Auto Parts 150 (a Truck Series race) and NBA Playoffs when the conversation turned to Reddick and the upcoming Cup Series event.
"He says, ‘I believe you’ and he said that on Saturday night, hanging out with (Ryan) Blaney, Bubba (Wallace) and Riley (Herbst) watching the O’Reilly race on Saturday night and some NBA Playoffs and we were talking about Reddick," Hamlin recounted. "Michael said, ‘you know, yeah, I’m worried about the 11’ and says ‘the 11 is going to win’."
Hamlin, ever the competitor, responded with his own assessment of the situation. "So I said ‘I think the 45 was a little bit better than us in practice but we’re good at making overnight adjustments.’"
This exchange highlights the pre-race dynamics: Hamlin’s belief in his own car’s potential, coupled with a perhaps overconfident prediction, and Jordan’s acknowledgement of Hamlin as the primary threat, while likely also harboring hopes for his own team’s success.
The outcome at Kansas Speedway, with Reddick securing the victory, provided Jordan with a degree of vindication and, as Hamlin suggested, a satisfying moment of banter. "So, I think he’s very happy because of how much shit I talked to him. It’s hard to believe but I talk a lot of trash to him," Hamlin admitted on his podcast.
The relationship between Hamlin and Jordan represents a fascinating intersection of business acumen and fierce competitive drive. As co-owners of 23XI Racing, founded in 2020, they have quickly established the organization as a legitimate contender in the NASCAR Cup Series. Reddick’s victory at Kansas marks his second win of the 2024 season and the fifth Cup Series win for 23XI Racing, solidifying their upward trajectory.
Tyler Reddick, a two-time Xfinity Series champion, has proven to be a formidable talent since joining 23XI Racing. His ability to consistently contend for wins, particularly on intermediate tracks like Kansas, has been a key factor in the team’s growth. His win at Kansas also continued a trend of strong performances for 23XI Racing at the track, with Reddick having secured a victory there in 2022.
Denny Hamlin, a seasoned veteran with 52 Cup Series wins, continues to be a top competitor for Joe Gibbs Racing. His dual role as a driver for a rival team and a co-owner of 23XI Racing creates a unique dynamic within the sport. His frustration at Kansas, while understandable from a personal perspective, also underscores his commitment to winning, whether it’s for his own car or for his ownership stake.
Michael Jordan, a global sports icon, has brought his unparalleled competitive spirit and business savvy to NASCAR. His investment in 23XI Racing has injected a significant level of star power and ambition into the sport. His evident enjoyment of the on-track rivalry with Hamlin, even when it means his business partner is disappointed, speaks to the genuine passion he has for racing.
The competitive fire between Denny Hamlin and Michael Jordan, as evidenced at Kansas Speedway, is not a sign of discord but rather a reflection of their shared dedication to winning. It is this internal push and pull, this blend of camaraderie and intense rivalry, that fuels the pursuit of excellence at 23XI Racing and adds another layer of intrigue to the already compelling world of NASCAR. As the season progresses, the interactions between these two titans of sport will undoubtedly continue to be a focal point, showcasing the multifaceted nature of their partnership and their unwavering commitment to checkered flag success.
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