Michael Jordan’s 23XI Racing Team entered the NASCAR Cup Series Championship, and their driver Tyler Reddick is looking to win the title at Phoenix Raceway. The team made it to the season finale, and is among the participants in the NASCAR playoffs.
Ahead of the championship race, ESPN’s Nick DePaula shared on X a series of pictures of all the Jordan-Brand-inspired #45 cars from 23XI racing. Among the designs featured is one in gray colorway, inspired by the Jordan Brand’s iconic elephant print.
Ahead of the @NASCAR Cup Series Championship, here’s a look at every Jordan Brand-inspired #45 car from @23XIRacing 🧵👇#NASCARPlayoffs #Championship4 pic.twitter.com/JtNtvhhXYP
— Nick DePaula (@NickDePaula) November 10, 2024
One of the cars was designed and painted to the theme of Air Jordan 1 classic Carolina blue, which was in turn inspired by the colors of Jordan’s college basketball team, the UNC Tar Heels.
The @23XIRacing #45 car in classic Carolina blue: pic.twitter.com/b4P10qzrTG
— Nick DePaula (@NickDePaula) November 10, 2024
Another one of the cars was designed with inspiration from Luka Doncic’s Jordan signature series in green and white colorways.
The @23XIRacing #45 car in Dallas, inspired by Luka Doncic’s Jordan signature series: pic.twitter.com/50FHggPbKy
— Nick DePaula (@NickDePaula) November 10, 2024
One car that had entered in past races was inspired by the Air Jordan 8.
The Air Jordan 8 inspired @23XIRacing #45 car: pic.twitter.com/qHhQrX5YWD
— Nick DePaula (@NickDePaula) November 10, 2024
DePaula also posted pictures of other designs inspired by J Balvin x Air Jordan 3 “Medellin Sunset” colorways released in 2023 and “Grape” Air Jordan 5, among others.
Michael Jordan wore #23 for the most of his basketball career, starting in high school. He announced his first basketball retirement in 1993 and played in the Minor League Baseball, wearing #45; the Chicago Bulls retired his #23.
When Michael Jordan came back from retirement to the NBA in 1995, he once again played for the Bulls, wearing #45 in his return before eventually switching back to #23. He retired again in 1999, and then returned in 2001 to play for the Washington Wizards, once again wearing #23 until his final season in 2003.
Michael Jordan instilled championship mentality in his NASCAR team, says Denny Hamlin
Michael Jordan would have the voice of authority in any room when it comes to winning in sports. The basketball legend won six NBA titles in his career, and his accomplishments inspire people beyond the sport—including his 23XI Racing Team.
Denny Hamlin, Jordan’s co-owner, is a racer himself and a three-time Daytona 500 winner at that. Jordan’s involvement with the team is purely out of love for the sport as a fan, but according to Hamlin, His Airness’ inspiring remarks have been a driving force for the team, especially since the NBA legend never spoke and only listened during team meetings.
“I think there has been one specific competition meeting that he (Jordan) said he wanted to participate in,” Hamlin told the Associated Press. “He listened to it and listened to it, and at the end, he gave his opinion on what he heard, and he didn’t like what he heard and he gave some pointed remarks on what championship teams sound like and what winning teams sound like and how we need to change the way we are communicating and the way we are shifting blame all over the place.”
Hamlin added, “That was kind of a pivotal moment for our team and our drivers to hear, and taking responsibility for each person’s shortcomings and how you are going to get better, and that was a big moment in shifting our team’s mentality.”
Last month, Tyler Reddick won the Homestead-Miami, the biggest win by Michael Jordan’s 23XI Racing team. Reddick is also among the favorites to win the NASCAR Cup Series championship.
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