"I don't have basketball anymore, but this could replace it very easily." These were the words spoken by Basketball Hall of Famer and 23XI Racing co-owner Michael Jordan during the final stage of Sunday night's Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway.
Jordan, a mainstay at NASCAR tracks around the country, had a reputation for rising to the occasion when the game was on the line. Yet the six-time NBA Champion was a bundle of nerves during the Cup Series regular-season finale as he watched Bubba Wallace and Tyler Reddick pursue two different goals.
Wallace needed to either win the race or finish far enough ahead of Chris Buescher that he could point his way into the playoffs.
Reddick needed to end the race with more points than Kyle Larson so that he could win the regular-season finale for the first time in his career. He also had to pursue this goal while dealing with an illness.
"I'm absolutely terrified because I want (Wallace) to do well, obviously," Jordan told NBC Sports' Dave Burns during the race. "And Tyler too, I know Tyler's a little sick. He's struggling, trying to get through it."
One driver checked off the goal. Reddick finished 10th at Darlington and ended the night one point ahead of Larson. He secured the regular-season championship and the 15 bonus playoff points. Reddick then celebrated in victory lane with his No. 45 crew and Jordan.
One proud owner.@TylerReddick | @23XIRacing pic.twitter.com/1T40jyKRHG
— NASCAR (@NASCAR) September 2, 2024
This celebration provided some moments of joy for the six-time NBA champion. This stood in contrast to the emotions Jordan experienced as Wallace fell short of the 16-driver playoff field.
Wallace, the first driver Jordan and co-owner Denny Hamlin brought into the fold, started the weekend off in the best possible way. He was fast in practice and then he won the pole for the first time this season. This set him up with the No. 1 pit stall.
Wallace then led the first 35 laps of the race while continuing to hold off Larson and the rest of the field. However, he lost his lead during green flag pit stops as the No. 5 Hendrick Motorsports pit crew delivered a better stop.
The night went awry at that point. Wallace and the No. 23 team struggled with handling for the majority of the race and then sustained damage after a wreck unfolded ahead of them.
Wallace was able to check up and only make slight contact with a spinning William Byron, but Noah Gragson hit the No. 23 from behind and damaged the rear bumper.
Wallace crossed the finish line in 16th place after repairs, 10 and 11 spots behind two drivers he was battling for a playoff spot. Although the finishing order did not matter considering that a new winner, Chase Briscoe, moved the cutline and eliminated all of the bubble drivers except for Ty Gibbs.
"Bubba, he fought all day and fought all night," Jordan told media members after the race. "And he got caught up in the wreck. Even though (Briscoe) won, it would have been tough for us to actually point our way in so we would have had to win it."
Jordan said that he was "halfway feeling better and halfway feeling sad" after Darlington. He was disappointed in 23XI Racing's failure to get both cars into the playoffs. He was also happy that Reddick was still in contention for the season championship.
These "halfway" feelings are fitting considering 23XI Racing's nearly four seasons of existence.
23XI Racing has experienced highs and lows alike since the team's debut in 2021. Wallace, Reddick, and Kurt Busch have all won races. Wallace made the playoffs for the first time last season while Reddick moved beyond the Round of 16 for the first time in his career.
The drivers and crews have all made mistakes during pivotal races, which have kept them from celebrating more wins.
This season shows that the young organization continues to grow. Reddick is the regular-season champion for the first time while Wallace has tied his career-best marks in only 26 races.
There is progress for both drivers and their crews to make. There are also big moments to celebrate.
Sunday night's Southern 500 showed that 23XI Racing is still a work in progress. It also delivered a message to the other Cup Series organizations.
"We're coming. We're coming," Jordan said.