Michael Jordan could hardly contain his grin while discussing Bubba Wallace’s recent run of strong finishes, but he still managed to sneak in a light‑hearted jab at co‑owner Denny Hamlin’s chaotic Martinsville victory. “Denny’s a clown— but hey, that’s just Denny!” Jordan quipped, laughing as reporters gathered around the 23XI Racing hauler. In classic MJ fashion, the comment landed less as an insult and more as a playful roast between friends.
Beaming over Bubba
Jordan first zeroed in on Wallace’s surge of late‑season momentum. The No. 23 team has posted four top‑tens in the last five Cup Series events, vaulting Wallace closer to playoff security. Jordan praised his driver’s patience and improved pit‑road discipline, noting, “The kid’s putting full races together now. When Bubba’s calm, he’s dangerous.”
The Martinsville mayhem
Conversation naturally shifted to Hamlin, whose wild, bump‑and‑run‑laden charge to win at Martinsville drew cheers and boos in equal measure. MJ didn’t miss the comedic opening: “He’s a clown—he loves the drama,” Jordan said, mimicking Hamlin’s exaggerated post‑race bow. “But that’s Denny. He lives for the boos. Just happy he kept all four fenders on… barely.”
Brothers in banter
Jordan’s teasing underlines the unique chemistry inside 23XI. Hamlin, a three‑time Daytona 500 champion and Jordan’s partner in the organization, often dishes similar barbs back. Team insiders say trash talk flows freely, fueling a competitive fire that both Jordan and Hamlin thrive on. “If MJ’s roasting you, it means he cares,” one crew member joked.
Why it matters
The exchange offered fans a glimpse of 23XI’s locker‑room vibe: unfiltered, confident, and rooted in mutual respect. Jordan’s praise shows he sees Wallace trending upward at a critical point in the season, while the friendly poke at Hamlin highlights a culture where even a team co‑owner isn’t safe from a good‑natured ribbing.
Next up
With Talladega looming—one of Wallace’s best tracks—Jordan believes momentum could snowball. “Superspeedways are Bubba’s playground,” he said. “If we keep this roll going, who knows?” As for Hamlin, Jordan predicts more fireworks and, undoubtedly, more clown jokes: “He’ll probably throw it right back at me after his next win,” MJ laughed. “That’s all part of the fun.”
