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Michael Jordan, co-owner of 23XI Racing, says driver Bubba Wallace has the talent to “learn to win” in the NASCAR Cup Series this year.
The team put together by basketball legend Jordan and Joe Gibbs Racing driver Denny Hamlin made their debut in Sunday’s Daytona 500, which paused after 15 laps after piling up 16 cars and falling behind. of rain at the Florida superspeedway site.
Wallace, meanwhile, avoided the crash by starting from behind after his No.23 car failed to inspect twice, then objected soon after suffering a car breakdown. tire after contact with veteran driver Derrike Cope.
In an exclusive interview with Fox Sports, Jordan explained that he believes Wallace could finally crack his Cup duck and visit Victory Lane, after narrowly missing out on Duel’s second race victory on Thursday.
“I have a feeling he’s going to learn how to win,” Jordan said.
“He has the talent. We wouldn’t have invested in him if he hadn’t had the talent to win.
“By the end of the year I think he’s going to have an opportunity and probably win at least a few races. If it’s more, I’ll be happy.”
Jordan admitted he was both excited and anxious about the upcoming 2021 season.
“I’m excited. I’m nervous, even though I’m not getting in the car. The point is, when you’re getting ready to play a big game, you’re nervous but you’re in control.”
He later added: “It’s a different kind of nervousness. Nervous when I’m on the court – again, I can go bounce. I can go shoot. I can play defense. Here, all I can do. can do is applaud. “
“I thought of [becoming a team owner] so many different times because I had never seen a black owner or someone of color who really owned a team or could dictate what was going on with their team.
“Obviously, we haven’t really played a big role in this sport, but the opportunities have never been presented to you.
Hamlin’s hopes for the new team are simply to show improvement over the season.
“Our team needs to improve,” he said. “I just want to see from the start of this season to the end of the season that the arrow goes the right way.”
Wallace also discussed NASCAR’s efforts to become a more inclusive environment, having gained prominence outside of the racing world as well when he became an outspoken voice for social justice last summer.
He led the charge to ban the Confederate Flag, a symbol of the states that seceded from America in 1860-61 that opposed the abolition of slavery, from the NASCAR races.
In doing so, he became the target of many right-wing voices, including former President Donald J. Trump.
Wallace also ran a Black Lives Matter painting program in Martinsville, following the murder of George Floyd by the Minneapolis Police Department.
“I thought it was a start for sure,” Wallace said of NASCAR’s drive to be more inclusive.
“For years I have been asked how can we get more minorities in sport? I’m like, ‘that’s a good question’ (and) it’s top of the NASCAR list.
“And then the Confederate flag rolled up. There is so much backlash against that flag from the minority group that we’re trying to attract. They won’t be part of this until it’s gone.
“I said let’s take a stand, let’s step down now. We’re opening the door for a whole new family to come and enjoy our sport.”
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