Michael Jordan’s NASCAR Triumphs Earn Praise from Former Best Friend Charles Barkley

Former best friends and rivals Michael Jordan and Charles Barkley have not spoken to each other in more than a decade.

Michael Jordan’s NASCAR Triumphs Earn Praise from Former Best Friend Charles Barkley

Michael Jordan and Charles Barkley (Image via FirstSportz)

In Short
  • Charles Barkley expressed pride in Michael Jordan's NASCAR successes, highlighting the importance of finding joy beyond basketball.
  • Jordan described himself as "cursed" with a competitive nature that drives him in all aspects of life, including NASCAR.
  • He criticized NASCAR's structure as unfair and lopsided, stating his lawsuit aimed to bring attention to the issues within the sport.

There was a time when NBA greats Michael Jordan and Charles Barkley were inseparable. Even though they battled each other at the same time, their respect and camaraderie were there for all to see.

‘Chuck’ revealed how his battle to become the league MVP managed to give him a chance to play against his former best friend in the NBA Finals.

In that 1993 series, the ‘Round Mound of Rebound’ finally confirmed to himself that the Chicago Bulls guard was the best player in the world, and by a big margin.

Barkley even had a vulnerable moment with his daughter after that clash, and to this day, he has reiterated his stance that Michael Jordan is the greatest basketball player of all time.

Basketball is just a small part of your life. No matter how great you are, you’re gonna be done as a young person. You have to find something else to bring you joy and happiness… I’m happy about his success in NASCAR. I’m proud of him.

Charles Barkley said on TNT Sports’ March Madness pregame program

The Hall of Famer pointed out how uber-competitive individuals like his former best friend need something to keep their competitive fire going.

That is why Charles Barkley is ‘happy’ and ‘proud’ of Michael Jordan’s triumphs in NASCAR, as it is not easy for any former athlete to continue enjoying such competitive success in something else after they retire.

Michael Jordan reveals he is ‘cursed’

Even though it will take a lot for Charles Barkley and Michael Jordan to break their cold war and return to being friends, the former knows his once friend and rival has something few can match in this world.

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

When speaking with Gayle King on CBS’s Sunday Morning, she asked ‘His Airness’ about that competitive spirit that led him to NASCAR.

The joy of seeing competition, right. I’m a very competitive person. I think I’m cursed. I’m cursed with this competitive gene that, with anything that I do, if it’s getting dressed, I have to get dressed before my wife gets dressed. Those type of things. I’m cursed.

Michael Jordan replied

King could not believe her ears as Jordan talked about his competitive drive, even against his wife. But the six-time NBA champion clarified that the ‘drive’ is what ‘keeps him alive.’

He confirmed that it is why he decided to spend more time with his 23XI NASCAR racing team, and also go head-to-head with the sports’ governing body after he felt his fellow owners were unjustly being denied the chance to earn greater revenue.

Michael Jordan explains why he sued NASCAR

While talking about his entry into NASCAR, Gayle King asked if he just chanced upon the sport or if it was something his family loved. He explained how his mechanic father drew him to cars.

Then, when King, who also happens to have produced and hosted a show with Michael Jordan’s former friend Charles Barkley on CNN, asked the five-time league MVP why he sued the sport he has a team in, the Bulls great replied:

When I got into NASCAR, I could see how things were operating. It was lopsided, it was wrong. This sport was not set up for success long-term for the individuals that’s involved in the sport. Up top, yeah, they were making a good living.

Michael Jordan said

The 63-year-old superstar made it clear that even if he had lost the lawsuit, he would have still won. His effort would have drawn attention to what was going on in NASCAR.

Evidently, he did win, and even though some are not sure if it was actually a win, many are relieved that the sport’s governing body will now share more revenue with teams.

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