Michael Jordan won’t drive in NASCAR, but he sure pays the winners

Michael Jordan has conquered almost everything he’s set his sights on. He owns six NBA championship rings, a global sports brand, and even tried his hand at baseball. Now, he’s carved out a space in motorsports as the owner of 23XI Racing. But there’s one line even “His Airness” won’t cross: getting behind the wheel of one of his NASCAR machines.

The revelation came from Bubba Wallace, lead driver for 23XI Racing, during an interview with Katie Nolan on the Casuals podcast. Wallace, who’s been part of the team since its launch in 2021, described Michael Jordan as a “laid-back” boss—a word that clashes with the fierce, competitive image the world knew during his Chicago Bulls era. But that calm demeanor has a purpose. Jordan avoids unnecessary risks, and that includes the high-speed chaos of driving at over 300 km/h on an oval track.

His Airness’ philosophy

According to Bubba Wallace, Michael Jordan once shared a personal philosophy that guides him outside the court. “If you know you’re going to enter something and lose, don’t participate.” It’s a simple piece of advice, but it reveals the strategic mindset of the former player. And while many still remember his bold leap into baseball in 1993, Jordan seems to have learned that not every challenge needs to be tackled physically to be conquered.

 

Ver esta publicación en Instagram

 

Una publicación compartida de 23XI Racing (@23xiracing)

In that vein, The SportsRush dives into this lesser-known side of Michael Jordan as a businessman. That’s why he prefers to stay on the pit wall, watching and directing. And the results speak for themselves. Bubba Wallace recently gave him his ninth win as a NASCAR Cup Series team owner by taking the Brickyard 400 in Indianapolis. A victory that not only strengthens the team’s reputation. But also justifies the $2.2 million salary Wallace earns from 23XI, according to Spotrac and RacingNews365.

Big checks for big winners

Michael Jordan, who has previously stated that he “only pays big money to winners,” took Wallace’s post-race demand with humor. The driver joked, “I won, now pay me.” The chemistry between Jordan and Bubba Wallace has paid off on the track, but it’s also built a compelling narrative for fans. Many see 23XI Racing as an extension of Jordan’s competitive legacy—just with a more mature and calculated approach.

While other team owners chase the spotlight, Michael Jordan chooses silence and long-term vision. And even if we never see him wearing a helmet and gloves, his impact on NASCAR is felt in every lap Bubba Wallace completes. Because sometimes, true leadership doesn’t need a steering wheel—just direction.