Michael Jordan’s NASCAR team, 23XI Racing, secures its 5th victory of the 2026 season—a historic milestone not seen in nearly 40 years—cementing the NBA legend’s dominance in motorsports.
Michael Jordan, the basketball legend whose six NBA championships and iconic career redefined athletic greatness, etched his name deeper into sports history on Sunday. His 23XI Racing NASCAR team secured its fifth victory of the 2026 season at the Food City 500, a milestone unmatched in the sport for nearly four decades.
The win came courtesy of driver Bubba Wallace, who held off a late charge from Joey Logano to cross the finish line at Bristol Motor Speedway. It marks the fourth victory for Wallace this year and the team’s fifth overall, surpassing all other outfits in the Cup Series standings. The last time a NASCAR team notched five wins before May was in 1988, when Bill Elliott’s team dominated early under crew chief Ernie Elliott.
Jordan, co-owner of 23XI Racing alongside driver Denny Hamlin since launching the team in 2020, celebrated the achievement from the sidelines. “This is what we built this team for – to compete at the highest level and make history,” Jordan said in a post-race statement. “From the hardwood to the horsepower, it’s all about winning.”
The accomplishment underscores Jordan’s seamless pivot from the court to the cockpit. No NBA athlete has ever translated their fame into such sustained success in motorsports. While other stars like Jimmie Johnson have dabbled in NASCAR ownership, Jordan’s 23XI has tallied 12 Cup Series wins since inception, with this season’s hot start positioning them as genuine title contenders.
Wallace, who credited Jordan’s hands-on involvement in strategy sessions, gushed about the boss. “MJ doesn’t just own the team; he lives it. That competitive fire? It’s contagious.”
As the NASCAR playoffs loom, 23XI’s dominance raises questions: Can Jordan’s squad claim a championship? For a man who’s conquered basketball like no other, the answer feels inevitable.
