Kurt Busch on driving for Michael Jordan, 23XI Racing: 'It's intimidating'

Kurt Busch has done it all in NASCAR. He won the 2004 NASCAR Cup Series Championship. Drove to victory in the 2017 Daytona 500. He has the most career starts among active drivers. But now he’s driving for Michael Jordan.

While Busch has been around NASCAR for almost his entire life, Jordan is entering his second season in the sport. After operating as a single-car team with Bubba Wallace as his driver in 2021, Jordan added Busch to his fleet as he expanded his operation, 23XI Racing.

Throughout his career, Busch has driven for some of the biggest names in motorsports. Titans of the sport — Roger Penske, Jack Roush, Tony Stewart and Chip Ganassi — entrusted Busch to find their operation victories. Now, Jordan is doing the same.

“It’s intimidating, but at the same time he demands performance,” Busch told PopCulture, regarding Jordan. “And that’s who I am. I love to pull from within and to bring that tenacity and to bring that drive each and every day to the racetrack or to the race shop. And it helps the others around me learn and give that same effort. And so it’s that right here, it’s right here in your soul where you push harder. Denny Hamlin’s the same way as an owner/driver.

“And so it’s a great balance all the way through with the ownership, with my teammate Bubba Wallace, and the way that Toyota is pushing us as well.”

Evidently, Michael Jordan is taking to NASCAR the same way he took to his basketball career. A legendary competitor, Kurt Busch will be looking to make the NBA legend proud in his foray into NASCAR at 23XI Racing.

Kurt Busch on 23XI Racing teammate Bubba Wallace: ‘Got all the things going right for him.’

Moreover, Busch is confident that he can bring 23XI Racing to premier status in NASCAR, along with his teammate Bubba Wallace.

“Bubba has definitely got all the things going right for him with, especially with the win last year at Talladega,” Busch said. “And to feel that moment and to put that, not necessarily behind him, but to use that as the next plateau to stand on. His journey is very different than many drivers is in the way that he’s pushed himself to the top.

“You’re there buddy. Now you’re there. So start from there and let’s build this team together at 23XI. That’s the motivation I’m giving him, and I think he’s absorbing it really well.”

Kurt Busch may be in his first season with 23XI Racing, but it’s evident he’s fitting in well with Michael Jordan, Bubba Wallace and company. While a wreck relegated him to a 19th place finish in the Daytona 500, Busch will be looking to prove his worth on Sunday, when he takes the wheel in Fontana, California at the Auto Club Speedway.