Michael Jordan on NASCAR, life after basketball and the one title he won't claim Michael Jordan is bringing his championship mindset to NASCAR, saying he's "cursed with this competitive gene" that keeps him chasing victories — and change. Jordan, co-founder of the NASCAR team 23XI Racing, told Gayle King that his passion for the sport traces back to his late father, James, a "diehard mechanic." He described how his father would fix neighborhood cars, refusing to send them to service, and how this early exposure to mechanics and speed shaped his love for cars and driving. "He used to work on all the neighborhood cars… he would fix our cars. We would never send our car to the service. He would figure out a way to fix it. So I think it gravitated into his love for cars. And he likes driving fast. My mom likes driving fast," Jordan said during an interview at the Phoenix Raceway for "CBS Sunday Morning." From rumor to reality Jordan founded 23XI Racing in 2020 with legendary driver and three-time Daytona 500 champion Denny Hamlin — a partnership Hamlin says began with a rumor that unexpectedly turned into reality. "I'll never forget. I saw an article that wasn't true. Says, 'Denny Hamlin and Michael Jordan are lookin' to purchase a NASCAR team,'" Hamlin recalled. "I saw the article, sent it to him. He says, 'Not real, but if you want to make it real let me know.'" This initial exchange led to the formation of 23XI Racing, marking Jordan's entry into a sport he had long admired. NASCAR's charter system and the antitrust case NASCAR has been privately owned and operated since 1948 by the France family. In 2016, the organization introduced a charter system, a franchise-like model that guaranteed 36 teams entry into each Cup Series race and promised new revenue opportunities.#michael_jordan #phoenix_raceway #denny_hamlin #23xi_racing #nascar
Daniel Dye Indefinitely Suspended for Mocking David Malukas with Homophobic Voice Daniel Dye has been indefinitely suspended by NASCAR after he mocked fellow driver David Malukas during a recent livestream, using a homophobic voice. The incident, which involved Dye impersonating Malukas in a manner deemed offensive, prompted immediate action from the organization. Dye, who competes full-time in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series as part of Kaulig Racing’s Ram Truck program, was driving the #10 Ram 1500 this season. He currently sits 13th in the points standings following finishes of 17th, 13th, and 17th in the first three races of the 2026 season. Dye also participated in select NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series events with Am Racing earlier in the year. Dye admitted to having limited knowledge about Malukas, a driver with Team Penske, and recalled asking the veteran racer if he had competed on oval tracks. Malukas has not publicly addressed the situation, leaving the details of the incident and its broader implications unclear. The suspension marks a significant moment for NASCAR, which has increasingly emphasized inclusivity and accountability amid growing scrutiny over homophobic behavior in motorsports. In a statement, Dye expressed regret for his actions, acknowledging the harm caused by his words. “I have some close friends in the LGBTQ+ community who would never want to feel less of themselves because of what I said, and that’s exactly why I should hold myself to a higher standard,” he wrote. He emphasized that his comments did not reflect his true feelings but admitted to failing to consider the impact of his actions. “I didn’t think enough before I spoke, and I in no way meant any harm,” he said.#david_malukas #team_penske #nascar #kaulig_racing #daniel_dye
Daniel Dye indefinitely suspended by NASCAR Daniel Dye, driver of the No. 10 Kaulig Racing Ram in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, has been indefinitely suspended by NASCAR following a violation of the organization’s rules. The penalty was imposed under Section 4.3.C of the NASCAR Rule Book, which prohibits members from making public statements or communications that criticize, ridicule, or disparage another person based on race, color, creed, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, religion, age, or handicapping condition. The suspension followed an incident during a recent livestream where Dye discussed his experiences with NTT IndyCar Series driver David Malukas. During the event, the 22-year-old driver used language that NASCAR officials deemed unacceptable, leading to the decision to suspend him. Dye must complete sensitivity training before he can return to competition. In a statement posted to his social media account on Tuesday evening, Dye expressed regret for his actions. He acknowledged that he did not consider the impact of his words and emphasized that his intent was not to cause harm. He added, “I know that intention does not erase impact and I need to do better.” Dye has competed in 49 races in the Craftsman Truck Series since 2023, earning two top-five finishes, 10 top-10 results, and one pole position. The Florida native ran full-time in the series in 2023 and 2024 before transitioning to the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series with Kaulig for a full season in 2025. Currently, Dye ranks 13th in the Craftsman Truck Series standings, 88 points behind the series leader, Chandler Smith. Additionally, he has made three starts in the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series this season for AM Racing, bringing his total career starts in that series to 48 with 10 top-10 finishes.#david_malukas #daniel_dye #nascar #kaulig_racing #nascar_rule_book
How an Antitrust Lawsuit from Michael Jordan Reshaped NASCAR NASCAR, the governing body for premier stock car racing, found itself at the center of a high-profile antitrust lawsuit brought by NBA icon Michael Jordan. The case centered on whether NASCAR engaged in anticompetitive practices that harmed the teams competing in its events. The dispute revolved around a take-it-or-leave-it contract offer presented by NASCAR to its team owners as the 2024 season came to an end. The offer, with a deadline of midnight on September 6, 2024, required teams to agree to a provision that barred them from bringing antitrust claims against NASCAR. Thirteen teams accepted the offer, but two—23XI Racing, co-owned by Michael Jordan, and Front Row Motorsports—refused and filed a private antitrust lawsuit against NASCAR. The lawsuit alleged that NASCAR had gained control over race venues, equipment, and the teams themselves, effectively eliminating opportunities for teams to supply their services outside of NASCAR. NASCAR owned a significant number of the venues and had exclusive contracts with many others it did not own. Additionally, the organization required all teams to invest in cars that embodied “Next Gen” technology, which NASCAR controlled through patents and intellectual property. This created barriers for teams seeking to join a rival league, as the investment in specialized equipment and the associated learning curve made it costly to compete outside of NASCAR. William S. Beinecke, a professor of economics and management, testified in the case. He was contacted by Jeffrey Kessler, the lawyer representing Michael Jordan and the other plaintiffs.#michael_jordan #23xi_racing #nascar #william_s_beinecke #front_row_motorsports
How an Antitrust Lawsuit from Michael Jordan Reshaped NASCAR NASCAR, the governing body for premier stock car racing, found itself at the center of a high-profile antitrust lawsuit brought by NBA icon Michael Jordan. The case centered on whether NASCAR engaged in anticompetitive practices that harmed the teams competing in its races. The dispute arose as NASCAR presented team owners with a take-it-or-leave-it contract offer just before the end of the 2024 season. The deadline for signing was midnight on September 6, 2024, and failure to sign meant teams would be excluded from the 2025 season. In exchange for participation, teams had to agree to a provision that barred them from bringing antitrust claims against NASCAR. NASCAR owned a significant number of race venues and held exclusive contracts with many others it did not own. Additionally, the organization required all teams to invest in cars that incorporated “Next Gen” technology, which NASCAR controlled through patents and intellectual property. This created barriers for teams seeking to compete outside of NASCAR. Thirteen teams signed the contract, but two—23XI Racing, co-owned by Michael Jordan, and Front Row Motorsports—refused and filed a private antitrust lawsuit. They alleged that NASCAR had effectively eliminated opportunities for teams to operate independently by controlling venues, equipment, and team operations. The case brought in expert testimony from William S. Beinecke, a professor of economics and management, who was contacted by Jeffrey Kessler, the lawyer representing the plaintiffs. Kessler, known for his work in antitrust litigation, had previously been involved in cases that led to free agency in the NFL and greater autonomy for NCAA athletes.#michael_jordan #23xi_racing #nascar #front_row_motorsports #william_s_beinecke
