"Is there any opportunity to own a piece of JGR?" - $65M-icon Denny Hamlin reveals pre-23XI chat with Joe Gibbs

In a recent interview with Kenny Wallace, Denny Hamlin unraveled the story behind the formation of 23XI Racing. The JGR driver went down memory lane and revealed how he approached Joe Gibbs during COVID-19 and started his own NASCAR team.

Hamlin, who has a net worth of $65 million, co-owns the 23XI Racing in NASCAR with Hall of Fame basketballer Michael Jordan. The name of the team was formed after Jordan's favorite number (23) and Hamlin's car number (11). The team was formed in 2020 and has Toyota as its car manufacturer.

23XI Racing currently operates in the Cup Series and fields Bubba Wallace in the #23 car, Tyler Reddick in the #45 car, former F1 driver Kamui Kobayashi and Corey Heim in the #50 car (part-time). The team currently has a technical association with Joe Gibbs Racing.

Hamlin said,

"At the time, I knew that COVID was taking its toll on the Leavine Racing team and which had an alliance with Joe Gibbs Racing. I'm like, okay, so if somehow I can buy that team, preserve the alliance that it has with Joe Gibbs Racing, it not only will help me create a future for myself beyond driving but I also can create more resources and money going into JGR that's going to make my car faster." [38:40]

"So, I'm like, I need to call to see if I can make this happen and so I did first of all, and then I said, well, wait a minute, let me sit down with Joe and Coy first and, 'Guys I'm gonna ask you kind of a very serious question,' I said. 'Is there any opportunity for me to own a place, own a piece of Joe Gibbs Racing, I'm very interested.'"

23XI Racing has its base in Huntersville, North Carolina and made its debut in the NASCAR Cup Series in 2021 at the Daytona 500. So far, it has claimed six race wins and three pole positions.

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23XI Racing's wins are monumental for Denny Hamlin

Even for a veteran like Denny Hamlin, who has 665 Cup Series appearances and 54 race wins, 23XI Racing's victories mean more to him than his own. On days when he fails in his own car, he finds solace in 23XI's wins.

Tyler Reddick, driver of the #45 Jordan Brand Toyota, celebrates in victory lane after winning the NASCAR Cup Series GEICO 500 at Talladega Superspeedway on April 21, 2024 in Talladega, Alabama. (Photo by James Gilbert/Getty Images)

On one such day, on April 22, 2024 at Talladega, Denny Hamlin opened up about how 23XI's win made his day to Fox Sports' Jamie Little. Notably, Denny Hamlin had a day to forget in the Talladega race.

"Every 23XI win is like watching your kid win. It always means a little bit more when they do it than when you do it. Certainly, the day was disastrous for us. Man, just so excited for this race team and Tyler, Billy, all the guys that really help make this happen. So, it’s great Michael [Jordan] gets to enjoy it."

23XI Racing's Tyler Reddick won the GEICO 500 at Talladega Superspeedway, finishing ahead of Brad Keselowski and Noah Gragson. On the other hand, Denny Hamlin faced a DNF.