Jordan’s 23XI team, Gibbs to have alliance
The NASCAR team co-owned by Michael Jordan and Denny Hamlin — 23XI Racing — unveiled its No. 23 car paint scheme Friday on “CBS This Morning.”
The team also announced an alliance with Toyota and Joe Gibbs Racing, and provided insight into its business operations and long-term goals as it prepares to debut its Cup car at the 2021 season-opening Daytona 500.
Toyota Racing Development will build the team’s engines and provide technology, data and technical assistance. Hamlin’s JGR team will supply the chassis and other services.
“It’s a good way for me to continue my partnership with Toyota some more,” Hamlin said on “CBS This Morning.” “I’ve been with them now for 13 years, over 40 wins. ... This is just a way to carry over that legacy.”
The team will operate out of a shop in Mooresville, North Carolina, housed by Germain Racing, which sold its Cup charter to Hamlin and Jordan to field the No. 23 car in the series next season. Hamlin said his entry into team ownership and his eventual expansion plans developed out of his confidence in NASCAR’s business model, which has been criticized by some members of the industry after smaller teams, such as Leavine Family Racing (a Toyota -backed team and Gibbs partner) and Germain Racing became the latest teams to announce their exit from the sport after the season.
Hamlin said he believes 23XI eventually will be able to stand on its own, without leaning on a JGR alliance, thanks in part to the cost-cutting benefits of the Next Gen inventory entering the sport in 2022. He said he plans to rely on a combination of his “insider knowledge” of NASCAR and Jordan’s “star power” to set the team up for success. JGR fields four cars in the Cup Series, one of which is driven by Hamlin. The No. 11 driver has raced Toyota equipment for more than a decade with JGR, scoring 41 of his 44 Cup wins in a Camry.
While at least the first season for the team will rely on JGR’s chassis and guidance, 23XI Racing is operating with a separate staff and vendors, and had to purchase the cars from JGR, which Hamlin said allowed NASCAR to approve the alliance and ensure that the team will not operate as a fifth team for Gibbs.
Instead, Hamlin said the goal is for the No. 23 car, driven by Bubba Wallace, to be competing against Hamlin for race wins next season. “My main goal for 23XI Racing is to be competitive for a championship as soon as possible,” a statement from Jordan said. “Our partnership with Toyota and Joe Gibbs Racing gives us the equipment, resources and expertise to do it.”