Saturday, September 19, 2026

Kurt Busch Drives Jordan Brand to 2nd NASCAR Victory

  • Six-time NBA champion Michael Jordan helped form the 23XI Racing team in 2020.
  • The win marked Jordan’s second as a NASCAR team owner.
Amy Kontras-USA TODAY Sports

Michael Jordan has won again — as a NASCAR owner.

The six-time NBA champion found success on the track as co-owner of the 23XI Racing team when Kurt Busch captured Sunday’s AdventHealth 400 at Kansas Speedway.

It marked Jordan’s second victory — Bubba Wallace won at Talladega last year — since investing a reported $150 million to form 23XI Racing along with NASCAR driver and business partner Denny Hamlin in 2020.

Driving the No. 45 car — a number Jordan once wore while with the Bulls — with the Jumpman logo on the hood and a paint scheme based on the Air Jordan III sneakers Jordan wore in the 1988 NBA All-Star Game, Busch passed Kyle Larson with eight laps to go and went on to victory.

“This is our first win with the 45 car, and with Jordan Brand on the hood, I felt like I had to … race like the GOAT,” Busch said afterward.

Hamlin finished fourth and Wallace 10th to give 23XI Racing three drivers in the Top 10.

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Sign up for
The Memo Newsletter

Get the biggest stories and best analysis on the business of sports delivered to your inbox twice every weekday and twice on weekends.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

F1 Plans 2027 Middle East Return Despite Iran War

F1’s first two 2027 races are scheduled for Bahrain and Saudi Arabia.

Royals Stadium’s $600M in City Funding Faces Local Opposition

Protesters shut down a zoning meeting about the planned ballpark project.

Amazon’s NASCAR Viewership Sees Slight Uptick in Second Season

Races on Prime Video averaged 2.29 million viewers this year.
Feb 11, 2026; Daytona Beach, Florida, USA; NASCAR Cup Series driver Jimmie Johnson (84) during qualifying for the Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Mike Dinovo-Imagn Images
Exclusive

Jimmie Johnson Joining TNT as NASCAR Analyst

Johnson will make his TNT debut on June 28.
podcast thumbnail mobile
Front Office Sports Today

NFL Ratings Dip, Steve Belichick Resigns, Knicks Ticket Refunds

0:00

Featured Today

Hot & Social/Mets

Sports Teams Are Playing a New Role: Matchmaker

The latest promotion at the stadium? Love.
Exclusive
September 18, 2026

Vicious Infighting Is Jeopardizing the Future of Women’s Baseball

The WPBL’s own CEO admits there’s a “power struggle.”
September 17, 2026

Fantasy Football Drafts Are Turning Into Full-Blown Vacations

Leagues are forgoing solo drafts and replacing them with in-person getaways.
Oct 4, 2025; Tempe, AZ, USA; General action during the first period of the game between the Arizona State Sun Devils and the Penn State Nittany Lions at Mullett Arena
September 10, 2026

How Military-Style Workouts in College Sports Get Dangerous

For elite athletes, high-intensity training can be “very appealing.”
September 6, 2026

Is Carolyn Tisch Blodgett the Future Face of Giants Ownership?

Amid changes at top of Giants ownership, eyes are on Tisch Blodgett.
Sep 10, 2026; Melbourne, Victoria, Australia; Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay during practice at Marvel Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

McVay’s Australia Gripe Highlights NFL’s Business-Football Divide

The Rams coach is looking to forget the team’s struggles in Australia.
September 17, 2026

Knicks Blame ‘Mistake’ for Sky-High Ticket Prices

The team halted ticket sales and will issue partial refunds.
Sep 17, 2026; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Buffalo Bills wide receiver Joshua Palmer (5) runs to score a touchdown during the first half against the Detroit Lions at New Highmark Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gregory Fisher-Imagn Images
September 17, 2026

Bills Mafia Steals the Show in $2.2B Highmark Stadium Debut

The new stadium easily transcended its league-low seating capacity.
Sponsored

Drew Weatherford’s Bet on the Youth Sports Economy

Drew Weatherford discusses investing across the youth, college and professional levels.
Bhathals
September 17, 2026

Fire, Thorns Owners All In on Portland Despite Missing Out on Blazers

The sibling owners say Portland is a “mid-market unicorn.”
September 15, 2026

Ndamukong Suh Blasts Rams’ ‘Asinine’ Australia Travel Plan

The Rams traveled to a game in Melbourne just a day before kickoff.
Exclusive
September 15, 2026

Carolyn Tisch Blodgett Says Giants Ownership Transfer Is Complete

The Tisch shares have been passed down.
September 14, 2026

Clippers Reverse Course and Accept NBA Punishment

Steve Ballmer said he has “sincere regrets.”