6’6” Michael Jordan Has an Honest Admission About Why He Probably Will Never Drive in NASCAR

Michael Jordan has explained why he has never driven a NASCAR car.

6’6” Michael Jordan Has an Honest Admission About Why He Probably Will Never Drive in NASCAR

Michael Jordan still wants to play basketball (Image via FirstSportz)

In Short
  • Michael Jordan admits he will likely never drive in NASCAR due to his height.
  • He co-founded the NASCAR team 23XI Racing with Denny Hamlin in 2020.
  • Jordan recently settled a landmark lawsuit against NASCAR, viewed as a significant win for his team.

Widely regarded as the greatest player to ever play the game of basketball, Michael Jordan is a revered figure all over the world. Very few athletes have transcended their sport the way Jordan has.

Just like his successful NBA career, Jordan has been successful in his business ventures as well. He has kept himself busy post-retirement and has continued to be a shrewd businessman. The six-time champion pursued his love for cars and racing by co-founding the NASCAR team 23XI Racing.

The Hall of Famer sat down for an interview with CBS and revealed why he has never driven a NASCAR car despite owning a team.

I can’t fit. I would want to but knowing my competitive juices, I would probably try to go as fast as Denny Hamlin and some of these other guys. Knowing I don’t have the talent to do so, I’d probably run in straight into that wall. But that doesn’t change my desire. I love the sport.

Michael Jordan in an interview with CBS News

Michael Jordan co-founded 23XI Racing with current driver Denny Hamlin in 2020. After coming up short last year, Jordan’s 23XI Racing and driver Tyler Reddick finally got their redemption. The Daytona 500 was another cherry on the top of Jordan’s ever-growing list of achievements and accolades.

While Jordan celebrated with his team, he was caught up in some unsettling controversy during their celebrations. An inappropriate interaction between Jordan and Reddick’s son captured several eyeballs but it was eventually downplayed by Reddick himself.

It is not very surprising that Jordan has never driven a NASCAR car in his life. Standing at 6’6″, it is not possible for him to fit in the car. While Jordan’s height is considered to be average in NBA terms, as the average height of the league is 6’7″, he is too big for a NASCAR car.

Michael Jordan believes NASCAR shouldn’t have waited for 23XI lawsuit

While Michael Jordan and his team won a historic title, the Chicago Bulls legend was also involved in a controversial charter lawsuit against NASCAR. The historic lawsuit was eventually settled out of court after two weeks of trial.

Michael Jordan has channeled his competitiveness into NASCAR
Michael Jordan (Image via NBA Courtside/X)

Speaking on CBS, Jordan spoke about taking on the sport’s governing powers in a federal antitrust lawsuit alongside Hamlin.

It used to have the Confederate flag. You had a lot of racism tied into NASCAR as a whole. I didn’t think you need 23XI to sue you to do that. I was definitely nervous. Don’t get me wrong. Being in a courtroom makes me nervous. That’s not where I want to be, really. I was all in. I was going to win.

Michael Jordan on his lawsuit against NASCAR

As the settlement was settled out of court, it was widely viewed as a landmark win for Jordan and 23XI Racing. It established a permanent franchise-style model and ensured a long-term future in the sport for the organization. Jordan called it a game-changer, and he can see things changing for the better.

Does Michael Jordan consider himself to be the GOAT?

Whenever the conversation shifts to the GOAT debate in basketball, the names often brought up are Michael Jordan and LeBron James. Both players have had illustrious careers.

Jordan was known for his winning mentality, killer instinct, and ultra-competitiveness during his time in the NBA. Meanwhile, James is known for his longevity and sustained brilliance. Currently in his 23rd season in the NBA, James continues to break records.

When asked if he considers himself to be the GOAT, Jordan said:

There’s no such thing as G.O.A.T., you know, to me. It’s not to me. You know, it’s only because I think, you know, we are transcended from other people, other athletes. We learn from other athletes. We progress the game as we move further. To say that one is better than the other is not really right.

Michael Jordan during his interview with CBS News

Jordan has often refrained from getting into the GOAT debate. Great players can play in any era. It is an argument for the media and the fans and there can never be an conclusive answer to the debate.

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