Michael Jordan
FILE - Daniel Suarez stands next to his car before a NASCAR cup series auto race at Michigan International Speedway in Brooklyn, Mich. in this Monday, June 10, 2019, file photo. New NASCAR team Trackhouse Racing has brought entertainer Pitbull on as an ownership partner for an organization making its debut next month at the Daytona 500. Trackhouse was launched late last year by former driver Justin Marks. The team has hired driver Daniel Suarez. It will not be NASCAR’s first pairing of a Hispanic driver and team owner. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio, File)
Mr. WorldWide to NASCAR: Pitbull joins Trackhouse ownership

By Jenna Fryer Jan. 15, 2021 01:24 PM EST

FILE - Naomi Osaka, of Japan, wears a protective mask due to the COVID-19 virus outbreak, featuring the name "George Floyd", while arriving on court to face Shelby Rogers, of the United States, during the quarterfinal round of the U.S. Open tennis championships in New York, in this Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2020, file photo. In a most unusual year already thrown into chaos by the coronavirus pandemic, many athletes took unprecedented steps when a nationwide reckoning on race spilled into the streets of American cities after the killing of Floyd, a Black man, while in Minneapolis police custody. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II, File)
Athletes act: Stars rise up against racial injustice in 2020

By Cliff Brunt Dec. 29, 2020 01:41 PM EST

23XI Racing fully funded for debut season with Bubba Wallace

By Jenna Fryer Dec. 14, 2020 12:58 PM EST
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — 23XI Racing announced a full slate of sponsorship Monday to back the new NASCAR team owned by Michael Jordan and Denny Hamlin. ...

FILE - In this Oct. 5, 2019, file photo, driver B.J. McLeod, waits to get into their cars before qualifying for the NASCAR Xfinity Series auto race in Dover, Del. NASCAR will have another new team in 2021 — bringing the total to three new ownership groups in the Cup Series — with the formation of Live Fast Motorsports. The team formally announced Friday, Nov. 20, 2020, is owned by drivers Matt Tifft and B.J. McLeod. (AP Photo/Brien Aho, File)
Live Fast Motorsports becomes 3rd new NASCAR team for 2021

By Jenna Fryer Nov. 20, 2020 02:13 PM EST

FILE- In this June 30, 2016, file photo, Brad Keselowski, left, and Joey Logano talk in their garage during NASCAR Sprint Cup auto racing practice at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Fla. Denny Hamlin will be racing for the Cup against Team Penske drivers Joey Logano and Brad Keselowski, as well as Chase Elliott of Hendrick Motorsports. (AP Photo/John Raoux, File)
Denny Hamlin faces tough field for elusive 1st NASCAR title

By Jenna Fryer Nov. 07, 2020 01:47 PM EST

FILE- In this March 8, 2020, file photo, Denny Hamlin walks out during driver introductions prior to the NASCAR Cup Series auto race at Phoenix Raceway in Avondale, Ariz. Hamlin is 0-for-3 in championship chances, his shot at an elusive first NASCAR crown ending just short of the finish line all three times he’s been close. It’s his turn again, without rival Kevin Harvick in his way in Sunday's season finale at Phoenix Raceway. (AP Photo/Ralph Freso, File)
NASCAR Cup Series at Phoenix

Nov. 07, 2020 01:05 PM EST

FILE - Bubba Wallace walks away from his damaged car, next to a NASCAR Safety Team member, during the NASCAR Cup Series auto race at Texas Motor Speedway in Fort Worth, Texas, Wednesday, Oct. 28, 2020. Wallace has been named the Comcast Community Champion of the Year. The industry award honors NASCAR members for philanthropic efforts. (AP Photo/Richard W. Rodriguez, File)
Bubba Wallace, who urged Confederate flag ban, honored

By Jenna Fryer Nov. 06, 2020 11:05 AM EST

This image provided by Toyota Racing, shows the new No. 23 Toyota Camry at at Charlotte Motor Speedway, Saturday, Oct. 24, 2020, in Charlotte, N.C. Hall of Fame basketball player and Charlotte Hornets owner Michael Jordan expects to field a winning team when 23XI (pronounced twenty-three eleven) Racing begins NASCAR competition next season. The car will be driven by Bubba Wallace and will be a Toyota in an alliance with Joe Gibbs Racing. (Toyota Racing via AP)
Michael Jordan's NASCAR team partners with Gibbs, Toyota

By Jenna Fryer Oct. 30, 2020 05:04 PM EDT

Jimmie Johnson, left, speaks about joining the team of Chip Ganassi, right, for the IndyCar series at a press conference during the IndyCar race weekend Saturday, Oct. 24, 2020, in St. Petersburg, Fla. (AP Photo/Mike Carlson)
Johnson jump-starts IndyCar move with online auto retailer

By Jenna Fryer Oct. 24, 2020 01:46 PM EDT

Denny Hamlin smiles during NASCAR Daytona 500 auto racing media day at Daytona International Speedway, Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2020, in Daytona Beach, Fla. Picking the car number for Michael Jordan's new NASCAR team was a slam dunk: Bubba Wallace will drive the No. 23 car when the team makes its debut next season. Jordan and Hamlin announced last month they had formed a NASCAR team with Bubba Wallace as the driver. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
23XI Racing name for new Jordan NASCAR team bit of balance

Oct. 23, 2020 02:32 PM EDT

Slam Dunk: Jordan picks 23 for car number of new NASCAR team

Oct. 22, 2020 12:39 PM EDT
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Picking the car number for Michael Jordan's new NASCAR team was a slam dunk: Bubba Wallace will drive the No. 23 car when the team makes...

FILE - In this Feb. 9, 2020, file photo, Erik Jones celebrates in Victory Lane after winning the NASCAR Busch Clash auto race at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Fla. The pandemic only accelerated the inevitable: The driver market bubble, pushed to its limit with multi-million dollar salaries for nearly two decades, is about to burst. A major reset has arrived and team owners have all the power. They can pick and choose between drivers who bring sponsorship dollars (Bubba Wallace) or drivers who have won races (Erik Jones). (AP Photo/John Raoux, FIlre)
Jones lands iconic No. 43 with Richard Petty Motorsports

By Jenna Fryer Oct. 21, 2020 08:39 AM EDT

Bubba Wallace (43) and Chase Elliott (9) drive during the NASCAR Cup Series auto race at Talladega Superspeedway on Sunday, Oct. 4, 2020, in Talladega, Ala. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
Hamlin wins in 3rd overtime of Talladega's longest race

By Jenna Fryer Oct. 04, 2020 07:46 PM EDT

FILE - In this Oct. 5, 2019, file photo, Bubba Wallace gets ready to enter his car for qualifying rounds before a NASCAR Xfinity Series auto race in Dover, Del. Denny Hamlin is starting his own race car team in partnership with Charlotte Hornets owner Michael Jordan and Wallace as the driver. (AP Photo/Brien Aho, File)
Hamlin, Michael Jordan partner on NASCAR team for Wallace

By Jenna Fryer Sep. 21, 2020 10:15 PM EDT

Alex Bowman, left, Chase Elliott, center, and Denny Hamlin listen to the national anthem before the NASCAR Cup Series auto race Saturday, Sept. 19, 2020, in Bristol, Tenn. (AP Photo/Steve Helber)
Column: NASCAR's dizzying silly season will change landscape

By Jenna Fryer Sep. 21, 2020 09:34 PM EDT

FILE - In this Feb. 14, 2020, file photo, Kyle Larson gets ready to climb into his car to practice for the NASCAR Daytona 500 auto race at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Fla. He was supposed to be the top free agent this year but was banished to sprint cars after his firing five months ago. Larson is awaiting the appropriate time to apply for reinstatement to NASCAR and if sponsors agree to forgive him, he should get a job. (AP Photo/Terry Renna, File)
NASCAR Cup Series at Daytona

Sep. 21, 2020 02:13 PM EDT

FILE - In this Sunday, Aug. 2, 2020, file photo, driver Bubba Wallace waits for the start of a NASCAR Cup Series auto race at the New Hampshire Motor Speedway in Loudon, N.H. The pandemic only accelerated the inevitable: The driver market bubble, pushed to its limit with multi-million dollar salaries for nearly two decades, is about to burst. A major reset has arrived and team owners have all the power. They can pick and choose between drivers who bring sponsorship dollars (Bubba Wallace) or drivers who have won races (Erik Jones). (AP Photo/Charles Krupa, File)
NASCAR Cup Series at New Hampshire

Sep. 21, 2020 01:55 PM EDT

Alex Bowman makes a pit stop during a NASCAR Cup Series auto race Sunday, June 14, 2020, in Homestead, Fla. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)
Denny Hamlin wins on a long day at Homestead

By Tim Reynolds Jun. 14, 2020 11:10 PM EDT

Mike Tatoian, president and CEO of Dover International Speedway, stands near the finish line while waiting for a news conference at the track, Monday, April 27, 2020, in Dover, Del. The track was scheduled to host a NASCAR auto race this weekend, but due to the COVID-19 outbreak, the race is bring run virtually on NASCAR's iRacing circuit. Sports will eventually start again and all signs indicate NASCAR is racing full speed ahead of the other major leagues in resuming competition. The sanctioning body is currently working on a revised schedule that could have NASCAR back on track in roughly three weeks.(AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Checkered flag nears for pro drivers in virtual racing boom

By Dan Gelston May. 02, 2020 11:04 AM EDT

Gates stand locked outside the closed Manchester City Etihad Stadium, in Manchester, northern England, as the English Premier League soccer season has been suspended due to coronavirus, Thursday, April 9, 2020. The new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms for most people, but for some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness or death. (AP Photo/Jon Super)
The Latest: Start of women's soccer in Belarus delayed

By The Associated Press Apr. 15, 2020 10:33 AM EDT