Denny Hamlin claims Michael Jordan shows more “emotion and passion” than ever watching NASCAR races

Joe Gibbs Racing veteran Denny Hamlin revealed the how emotional Michael Jordan is about 23XI winning races.

Denny Hamlin claims Michael Jordan shows more “emotion and passion” than ever watching NASCAR races

Denny Hamlin and Michael Jordan (Via IMAGO)

Joe Gibbs Racing veteran Denny Hamlin became a NASCAR team owner in 2021 with NBA legend and close friend Michael Jordan, establishing 23XI Racing. Over the last three years the team has established themselves are title contenders and are now in the fight for the title this year, with Tyler Reddick in the Championship-4.

Michael Jordan’s presence has been a huge part of the team’s success and according to Denny Hamlin the racing ventures gives him more emotional pleasure than any of his other non-NBA ventures. He believes his co-owner who has long been a NASCAR fans, get more joy seeing his driver win races.   

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The racing side of it brings out more emotion and passion than I’ve seen outside of his own career in sport. I’ve seen him on golf courses; I’ve seen him play cards, things like that – I’ve seen all of that, but nothing matches the emotion that winning a NASCAR race has shown in him.

Denny Hamlin said at Martinsville.

In the same media availability session, Denny Hamlin also explained how Jordan has transformed the team by imposing his champion mentality on him. He pointed out that the NBA champion’s pep talks made the team stop shifting blame all over the place and it has help them communicate better as a team.

He didn’t like what he heard and he gave some pointed remarks on what championship teams sound like and what winning teams sound like and how we need to change the way we are communicating and the way we are shifting blame all over the place.

Denny Hamlin added.

Denny Hamlin gives his verdict on aggressive style of racing in the sport

The Joe Gibbs Racing veteran Denny Hamlin in the same interview talked about the increased aggressive style of racing in the sport and admitted that the sport has found itself in a Murley situation. He also confessed that he is the worst person to ask about self-policing as he has been involved in some questionable incidents in the past.

Denny Hamlin
Denny Hamlin (Via IMAGO)

It is certainly a balance. I’m probably the worst person you can ask for that because I retaliated and got penalized. It is a self-policing sport until it is not … NASCAR never wants to get in the middle of officiating contact, although they do at times, but then you open yourself up to what is too blatant and that is a very murky line.

Denny Hamlin said.

The TRD driver has made some good points about the where the sport is at the moment and his honest also shows some character. It will be interesting see how the scenario around aggression is going to change in the sport.