Michael Jordan’s NASCAR team, 23XI Racing, emerged victorious for the first time two months ago at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. And, the NBA legend had an inspiring role in it: A quote of his that stuck in the driver’s head, egging him on.
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Bubba Wallace was behind the wheel of the No. 23 Toyota that crossed the finish line in first place. Recently, he revealed what Jordan had told him.
The Chicago Bulls legend may not be an icon in NASCAR. But being one of the most decorated athletes in all of sports, of all time, Jordan’s words carried the weight of experience.
Wallace, per Complex News, stated how Jordan understands the different needs of drivers at different moments, while also keeping in mind the end goal. And the six-time NBA champ, after the race in Daytona in February, told Wallace to work harder for things he wants more.
“What you heard after Daytona, you know, ‘The things you want more, cost more’. Definitely thought about that in the closing laps of Indy, winning the Brickyard 400,” Wallace said.
The 31-year-old knew that he was craving to take the chequered flag first more than anyone else out on the track that day. “I wanted that win more than anyone else on the field, and I was going to do whatever it took to get that win,” Wallace added.
It wasn’t a seamless win for Wallace by any means at Indianapolis. He secured the result, beating Kyle Larson in double overtime. Wallace finished ahead of Larson by just 0.2 seconds. Talk about fine margins.
It was Wallace’s third race win in the NASCAR Cup, and one that likely took the pressure off him slightly. Earlier this year, his boss, MJ, went on record to state that he “only pays winners.” Now, Wallace can call himself one and take $2.2 million home.
Jordan’s complicated NASCAR relationship
The five-time NBA MVP loves racing and NASCAR, and Wallace attested to that fact. But does that mean he will put a helmet and racing gloves on and zoom around a speedway? No. That’s something Jordan won’t ever do.
Jordan, who once quit basketball to pursue a career in baseball, has now decided to go after things he knows he will succeed in. “ He taught me that if you know you’re gonna go into something and lose, don’t participate,” Wallace said earlier this year,
Instead of racing himself, Jordan wants to focus all his energy on making sure that his drivers win races for him. Winning in Indianapolis was a start. But 23XI has a long way to go if they want to be known as a force in NASCAR. Considering Jordan’s hunger for winning, they will be working toward that goal with relentless passion and drive.
