Michael Jordan buys NASCAR team and signs driver Bubba Wallace

"Timing seemed perfect" as NASCAR embraces "social change"

Sam Hall

Tuesday 22 September 2020 13:26 Updated: 13:18

Basketball legend Michael Jordan is hoping to improve diversity in NASCAR after teaming up with driver Denny Hamlin to create a new team for 2021 and signing African American Bubba Wallace to pilot the entry.

A day after Jordan's former marketing manager Jefferson Slack joined Formula 1 team Racing Point as its new managing director, commercial and marketing, the six-time NBA finals MVP has now joined the motorsport community.

Jordan says "the timing seemed perfect" for the venture as motorsport, and specifically NASCAR, is embracing social change.

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"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," said Jordan.

"The opportunity to own my own racing team in partnership with my friend, Denny Hamlin, and to have Bubba Wallace driving for us, is very exciting for me.

"Historically, NASCAR has struggled with diversity and there have been few black owners. The timing seemed perfect as NASCAR is evolving and embracing social change more and more.

"In addition to the recent commitment and donations I have made to combat systemic racism, I see this as a chance to educate a new audience and open more opportunities for black people in racing."

Hamlin, who will not be racing for the team, said Wallace, the only driver of colour in NASCAR, was the obvious choice to take the wheel for the newly founded team.

Via social media, Hamlin said, "Deciding on a driver was easy - it had to be Bubba Wallace.

"Bubba has shown tremendous improvement since joining the Cup Series and we believe he's ready to take his career to a higher level.

"He deserves the opportunity to compete for race wins and our team will make sure he has the resources to do just that."

On the announcement, Wallace added: "This is a unique, once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that I believe is a great fit for me at this point in my career.

"I'm grateful and humbled that they believe in me and I'm super pumped to begin this adventure with them."

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