In 2020, what happened off the raceway was just as important as what happened on it for NASCAR, especially when it came to racer Bubba Wallace pushing for social justice during a tumultuous summer. Racers immediately supported him as did a majority of fans, even as other fans voiced disappointing hateful rhetoric. Also off the track, Wallace was chosen to race for the new team created by NBA superstar Michael Jordan and racing star Denny Hamlin. NASCAR is speeding towards 2021 in many different and evolved ways.
“Michael and I have a shared vision for this team,” Hamlin said in a team release. “So it’s exciting to see it reflected in the team name and on the race car with the iconic number 23 that Michael made famous.”
Team 23XI-pronounced 23 Eleven for Jordan’s and Hamlin’s numbers–released official team information in October.
JUST REVEALED: Here’s the new race car for the Michael Jordan-owned @Nascar team @23XIRacing, ahead of its debut on the track next year.
This morning, @ToyotaRacing is unveiling its partnership with the team.@BubbaWallace and @dennyhamlin join us live from @CLTMotorSpdwy. pic.twitter.com/L7iTpXqkLu
— CBS This Morning (@CBSThisMorning) October 30, 2020
“This is an exciting opportunity that has been put in front of me and I have to capitalize on it,” Wallace said on CBS This Morning. ” … next year can’t get here soon enough.