23XI Racing, Tyler Reddick debut 'Unbannable' paint scheme after online controversy

Last week, 23XI Racing appeared to be in a bit of an awkward situation with their “Unbannable” Jordan Brand paint scheme. Tyler Reddick is rocking the scheme for the NASCAR Clash at Bowman Gray.

The “Unbannable” on the car, as well as the black tape over the Jordan logos, is a reference to Michael Jordan’s career. His first shoe was banned by the NBA, or they at least attempted to ban it. Jordan kept wearing the shoes and the rest is history.

23XI Racing posted a graphic with the new scheme. It was full of red tape and the word “Unbannable” all over it. It even showed the word displayed on the rear bumper just above the Toyota logo.

Well, the organization deleted the original graphic. It was reposted with less references to being “Unbannable.” It made a few fans online wonder if NASCAR felt a certain type of way considering the lawsuit going on between the parties.

As cars unload at Bowman Gray Stadium this morning we have an answer. The car is going to hit the track and will feature all of the words and logos it had originally on the graphic.

Bob Pockrass of FOX Sports snapped a shot of the 23XI Racing No. 45 car. Still unbannable.

The”unbannable” is still on the Reddick car. Part of a new Jordan shoe release going back to the day when NBA banned his shoes. pic.twitter.com/2grUPHLuGM

— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) January 30, 2025

NASCAR and 23XI Racing are not on the best of terms. When you have a huge lawsuit that could change the future of the business between two parties, this kind of thing will happen.

It is nice to see that NASCAR did not ban this scheme. 23XI is celebrating the history of the Jordan Brand, the shoe company is releasing a new run of the “Banned 1s.” Even the Chicago Bulls have gotten in on the “Unbannable” trend.

23XI Racing enters 2025 with many goals

So, it appears that NASCAR did not object to the paint scheme. Perhaps 23XI Racing felt that the original graphic was too much. It could be misconstrued in a certain way. However, it did cause quite a storm on social media.

The 2025 season is going to be a big one for 23XI. Last season, a regular-season championship and a trip to the Championship 4 was great. But it left Reddick and his team wanting more. Not only that, but it also showed Bubba Wallace that he had work to do.

Everything begins at Bowman Gray Stadium this year. A trip back down memory lane for many drivers. Wallace was P2 in a K&N race at Bowman Gray back in 2012. That race was won by Corey LaJoie and featured drivers such as Kyle Larson, Daniel Suárez and more.

When the NASCAR season kicks off this weekend, there will be more concern for the action on the track and in the court room. Right now it appears we are going to either get a trial in December or an appeals decision in NASCAR’s favor in May. On top of that, weekly racing action between now and November. It’s going to be a wild year.