NBA icon Michael Jordan may once again become a champion decades after retiring from basketball.
Having enjoyed a highly successful career in the NBA, many believe that Jordan is the greatest basketball player of all time ahead of icons like Kobe Bryant, LeBron James and Shaquille O’Neal.
Across 15 seasons, ‘His Airness’ won six NBA titles, was a five-time MVP, six-time NBA finals MVP and holds a 6-0 record in those MVP finals.
And 21 years after retiring from basketball, Jordan could be set to win a championship in another sport.
In 2020, Jordan formed NASCAR team 23XI Racing alongside American racing driver Denny Hamlin, and one of their drivers, Tyler Reddick, is in contention to win the 2024 NASCAR Cup Series.
With 13 races left, Reddick is currently second in the 43-man grid and is only five points behind leader Kyle Larson.
The 28-year-old American finished third in last weeks race at the Richmond Raceway in Virgina, finishing ahead of Larson who finished seventh and taking home 40 points which put him ahead of Chase Elliott.
In the 131 races competed in since Jordan formed the team four years ago, his drivers have won six but are yet to win a drivers’ championship.
When he created the team, Jordan became the first Black principal owner of a full-time NASCAR cup team since 1973 when Hall of Fame driver Wendell Scott drove his own car for 495 races.
“Historically, Nascar has struggled with diversity and there have been few Black owners,” Jordan said in a statement after announcing the creating of 23XI Racing.
“The timing seemed perfect as Nascar is evolving and embracing social change more and more.
“I see this as a chance to educate a new audience and open more opportunities for Black people in racing.
“Growing up in North Carolina, my parents would take my brothers, sisters and me to races, and I’ve been a Nascar fan my whole life.”
Hamlin, a close friend of Jordan’s, also races but for another team, Joe Gibbs Racing, and is currently fourth in the NASCAR Cup Series standings.
Speaking about his friendship with Jordan, he wrote “Eleven years ago I met Michael Jordan at a then-Charlotte Bobcats game and we became fast friends.
“Not long after, I joined Jordan Brand as their first Nascar athlete. Our friendship has grown over the years and now we are ready to take it to the next level.”