Hamlin launches team with NBA great Jordan
Denny CHARLOTTE, N.C. —
Hamlin has joined Charlotte Hornets owner Michael Jordan to form aNASCAR team with Bubba Wallace as the driver, a high-profile pairing of a Black majority team owner and the only Black driver atNASCAR’s top level.
The partnership was announced Monday night in coordinated social media posts by Jordan andHamlin, withWallace adding his own comment. The posts showed a picture of Jordan alongside a firesuit-clad Hamlin in a motorhome at a race track.
“Historically, NASCAR has struggled with diversity and there have been few Black owners,“Jordan said in his statement. “The timing seemed perfect as NASCAR is evolving and embracing social change more and more.”
Jordan becomes the first Black principal owner of a full-time Cup teamsinceHall ofFamerWendell Scott drove his ownrace car in 495 races from 1961 to 1973. Scott’s 1964 victory at the Jacksonville 200 is the only win by a Black driver in Cup history.
The NBA great, who earlier this year pledged $100 million over 10 years for initiatives combating systemic racism, said the move into NASCAR is another step toward racial equality.
“I see this as a chance to educate a newaudience and openmore opportunities for Black people in racing,” Jordan
said. Jordan joins former NBA player BradDaugherty, a partner at JTG Daugherty Racing, as the only Black owners at NASCAR’s elite Cup level.
“Michael and Bubba can be a powerful voice together, not only in our sport, but also well beyond it,” Hamlin said.
Hamlin, a three-time Daytona 500 winner and a top contender for this year’sCup title, will be part of a single-car Toyota entry aligned with Joe Gibbs Racing. Hamlin has raced his entire career for Gibbs, a Hall of Fame NFL coach.
“Deciding on the driver waseasy— it had tobeBubba Wallace,” Hamlinwrote. Wallace is the only Black driver in the Cup Series.