Bubba Wallace on Michael Jordan as a NASCAR owner, 23XI Racing
Bubba Wallace was the driver Michael Jordan handpicked to be the face of 23XI Racing — his NASCAR team. In his first season with Jordan as his boss, Wallace captured his first victory at Talladega last fall. Now, Wallace and Jordan have big expectations for their second season together in NASCAR.
In an appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live, Wallace spoke about what Jordan as a NASCAR team owner.
“Yeah, he’s the boss,” started Wallace. “He’s actually really fun to be around. Super competitive, if you didn’t know that. He’s always finding ways to motivate you. Whether that’s betting against you, or kind of just saying things.
“He’ll fire you up. He’s like, ‘Ah, you won’t do this today.’ And then you go out and do it. It’s like, ah. He’s like, ‘You did it. Good job.’ Yeah.”
Evidently, Jordan’s competitive nature hasn’t changed from the court to the racetrack. Originally, the former Chicago Bulls star stated he’s not getting into NASCAR to lose. There are lofty expectations on Wallace.
Wallace on finishing second in Daytona 500, Jordan’s reaction: ‘He was pumped.’
In just their second attempt at the Daytona 500, Bubba Wallace came one position away from delivering Jordan the biggest victory in NASCAR last Sunday. Later, Jimmy Kimmel asked Wallace what it was like finishing second by a hair in the Daytona 500 to winner Austin Cindric.
“So I finished second in my first Daytona 500 in 2018. And, you know, I was a wrecking ball of emotion,” stated Wallace. “Like, super cool. Pumped. Ah, we finished second. Awesome.
“I was pissed. I was ready to rip somebody’s head off after this one. Because the first time I was two car-lengths back. But this one, being that close. But in the matter of coming off of turn four — which is probably two football fields away from the start finish line, I’m guessing, maybe even more. I’m like, ‘Damn. We’re not going to win. We’re going to finish either second or third. And then it came down to that.”
If there was one more lap, Wallace would’ve been the one lifting the Harley J. Earl Trophy. Instead, Cindric beat him to the line. Nevertheless, the ridiculously competitive Jordan was elated with their finish in the race.
“We text each other. He was pumped, he was excited,” stated Wallace. “We were all pumped.”
Bubba Wallace and Michael Jordan would’ve loved to make history by winning the 2022 Daytona 500. Still, it’s a long season in NASCAR, and there will be plenty of opportunities for victories along the way. Wallace will take the track once again on Sunday, racing at the Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, California at 3:30 PM EST.