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Thursday, January 22, 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.

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