... Bubba Wallace knows exactly what it means to drive for Michael Jordan. The 23XI Racing star says the standard keeps rising, and the drivers have to keep up. Wallace has been with the team since it entered NASCAR in 2...
... Bubba Wallace knows exactly what it means to drive for Michael Jordan. The 23XI Racing star says the standard keeps rising, and the drivers have to keep up. Wallace has been with the team since it entered NASCAR in 2021 and admits he never pictured it reaching this level. The growth has been remarkable. But the expectations have grown too. Photo by David Jensen/Getty Images Asked whether he expected 23XI to be where it is now, Wallace did not hesitate. 'Yeah, it has. I don't know if, you know, for me, I'm a very in-the-moment type person. So, to answer that question, no,' he said. 'But honored and humbled to be where I'm at, still playing a small part in this team's success and having a lot of fun doing so.' Wallace was 23XI's first full-time driver when the organisation arrived in 2021. Since then it has grown into a regular contender, with Tyler Reddick and Corey Heim delivering wins this season. Reddick took the Daytona 500 and added more victories, while Heim triumphed at Naval Base Coronado and Indianapolis. Wallace reached the playoffs without a regular-season win. He credits Jordan, who co-owns the team with Denny Hamlin, for the progress. 'But yeah, I mean, everything basically MJ touches turns to gold,' Wallace said. 'And so, you know, you have to do your part to keep up with it.' That is the standard in one sentence. Jordan's competitive mindset runs through the whole organisation. Wallace is clear that the work does not stop. 'Obviously want way more success than what we've had,' he said. 'But we just got to keep on putting our names in the hat and keep giving the effort.' The playoffs begin at Darlington on Sunday with the Cook Out Southern 500, a track that punishes mistakes with heavy tyre wear and unforgiving corners. Wallace enters knowing his team-mates are proven winners. His No. 23 Toyota has another chance to compete for the title. He may not have predicted the rise back in 2021. But he understands what this organisation expects now. Jordan set the standard, and the drivers know they have to meet it. Read more: Ryan Blaney tells Tom Cruise 'I'll do whatever' to be in new Days of Thunder movie Chase Briscoe targets historic Darlington three-peat after revealing dirt racing advantage Chase Elliott reacts to meeting Tom Cruise as Days of Thunder sequel comes to Daytona
