February 14, 2021 | BY AAGD STAFF
“His Airness” former NBA player Michael Jordan has arrived in Florida ahead of his debut as a NASCAR team owner in Sunday’s Daytona 500. MJ took the extra time to squeeze in a round of golf with nonother than Fox Sports commentator Michael Waltrip and Cup Series driver Denny Hamlin. Jordan is also the principal owner and chairman of the Charlotte Hornets.
The trio played 18 holes Friday at Oceanside Country Club in Ormond Beach, per USA Today.
In October, MJ partnered with Hamlin to form the company 23XI Racing. Shortly thereafter, Bubba Wallace signed on as the driver of the No. 23 Toyota after his departure from Richard Petty Motorsports.
The six-time NBA champion told Fox Sports’ Bob Pockrass he plans to remain an active owner—he also serves as governor of the NBA’s Charlotte Hornets—but he doesn’t want to take the spotlight from Wallace.
“I will attend the races. I’m not looking to overshadow Bubba at any point in time because at the end of the day, he’s going to have to stand up on his own two legs,” Jordan said. “He’s going to have to race. I’ve always supported NASCAR physically. Will I support it even more so now? I’m pretty sure I will.”
MJ’s team has formed a “technical alliance” with Joe Gibbs Racing, which counts Hamlin among its four Cup Series drivers, that will give Wallace a better chance to seriously compete in the team’s first season.
Ttwo-time defending Daytona 500 winners, Jordan and Hamlin are both Charlotte residents and have become golf buddies over the years, per USA Today.
The Great American Race is scheduled to see the green flag wave Sunday at 2:30 p.m. ET on Fox.
