Michael Jordan's 23XI Racing Rewrites NASCAR Record Books

23XI Racing, co-owned by Michael Jordan, Denny Hamlin, and Curtis Polk, has made a stunning start to the 2026 NASCAR season.

Published on Mar. 6, 2026

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In just its sixth year of operation, 23XI Racing has already made NASCAR history, with driver Tyler Reddick becoming the first to win the first three races of a season. This unprecedented success for a relatively new team has caught the attention of the entire NASCAR garage, with team co-owner Michael Jordan declaring "It's time for change" in the sport.

Why it matters

23XI Racing's rapid rise to the top of NASCAR challenges the dominance of the sport's traditional powerhouse teams like Hendrick Motorsports, Team Penske, and Joe Gibbs Racing. The team's success, fueled by Jordan's financial backing and Denny Hamlin's racing expertise, suggests a potential shift in the competitive landscape of the sport.

The details

In just its sixth year, 23XI Racing has already achieved remarkable success, with driver Tyler Reddick becoming the first in NASCAR history to win the first three races of a season. This is a significant accomplishment, considering 23XI is a relatively new team compared to the sport's historic dynasties and current dominant organizations. The team's success is a testament to the leadership of co-owners Michael Jordan, Denny Hamlin, and Curtis Polk, who have invested heavily in building a state-of-the-art facility and assembling a talented roster of drivers and crew.

  • Tyler Reddick won the first three races of the 2026 NASCAR season.
  • 23XI Racing was founded in 2020.
  • The team's state-of-the-art headquarters, Airspeed, opened in 2024.

The players

23XI Racing

A NASCAR team co-owned by Michael Jordan, Denny Hamlin, and Curtis Polk, founded in 2020.

Michael Jordan

Co-owner of 23XI Racing and NBA legend.

Denny Hamlin

Co-owner of 23XI Racing and NASCAR superstar driver.

Curtis Polk

Co-owner of 23XI Racing and Michael Jordan's longtime business partner.

Tyler Reddick

Driver for 23XI Racing who made NASCAR history by winning the first three races of the 2026 season.

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What they’re saying

“It's time for change. It's time for change,”

— Michael Jordan, Co-owner, 23XI Racing (Fox Sports)

“This team had, like, three employees (when founded). There was nothing. We had zero. We didn't buy a team, (we) didn't do anything. Just built it. This is what we're doing. It's pretty amazing.”

— Denny Hamlin, Co-owner, 23XI Racing (The New York Times)

“I'm proud of the team that we put together... I think a lot of credit goes to (Hamlin), because I think he's the mastermind, finding Tyler and putting together (crew chief) Billy Scott and all of them.”

— Michael Jordan, Co-owner, 23XI Racing (The New York Times)

What’s next

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The takeaway

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