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Brad Daugherty, former NBA player and co-owner of JTG Daugherty Racing, recently shared how he played a role in Michael Jordan’s decision to become a NASCAR team owner. Although Daugherty and Jordan were rivals during their playing days, they’ve since forged a strong connection, with Daugherty involved in NASCAR ownership since 2008. He reflected on how their friendship helped bring the NBA legend into the world of stock car racing.
Daugherty’s Long History in NASCAR
Daugherty has been deeply embedded in the NASCAR world for nearly three decades. He explained how racing has always been a part of his family’s history, saying, “My family has been around racing my whole life. My uncles, my father, everybody — they were drag racers. So I grew up around race cars... I’ve been in the NASCAR space for about 30 years and have owned a team for about 20-25 years. It’s a lot of fun; I love hot rods, and I dragged Michael into this space now, so he’s racing with us.”
Jordan’s Early Connection to NASCAR
According to Daugherty, Jordan wasn’t always the biggest NASCAR fan during their college days. In fact, he used to give Daugherty a hard time about his interest in the sport. Despite this, Daugherty always knew that Jordan had an unspoken appreciation for stock car racing. Daugherty recalled, “He would also sit there and watch with me. He liked it. He always did.”
Michael Jordan Sees NASCAR Potential
Before co-owning 23XI Racing, Jordan saw an opportunity to achieve greatness in NASCAR. In 2020, ahead of the team’s inaugural season, Jordan explained what led him to become a NASCAR team owner. He pointed to the potential he saw in driver Bubba Wallace, explaining that he believed Wallace could one day become a NASCAR champion. "If I didn’t think so, I wouldn’t get into this. Luck has a lot to do with winning in a lot of sports. But if you feel you have the same knowledge and the same equipment, you give yourself a chance. Then it’s all up to the driver."
23XI Racing's Growth and Impact
Since its founding, 23XI Racing has grown rapidly, expanding from a one-car operation into one of NASCAR’s most promising teams. In 2024, Tyler Reddick, a driver for the team, clinched the regular season title and qualified for the Championship 4. The team also opened a new facility, Airspeed, further cementing its place in the sport.
Jordan has spoken about how his involvement in NASCAR wasn’t just about building a competitive team; he saw it as a chance to broaden the sport’s audience and create new opportunities for Black people in racing. "I want to educate a new audience and open up more opportunities for Black people in racing," he shared.
Looking to the future, 23XI Racing’s rapid expansion continues, with plans to grow from two to three cars in the near future. Michael Jordan’s foray into NASCAR has proven to be a significant step in his career, with his team already making waves in the competitive world of stock car racing.
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