NASCAR champion Kurt Busch reveals Michael Jordan moment that left him blown away

NASCAR Hall of Famer Kurt Busch has revealed that a meeting with Cup Series team owner Michael Jordan once left him blown away.

Jordan co-owns 23XI Racing alongside Cup Series star Denny Hamlin and others, with the team having been founded in 2020.

NASCAR HEADLINES: Cup Series star confirms team exit as commissioner hits back at lawsuit

The team first raced in the NASCAR Cup Series in 2021, with Bubba Wallace as their only full-time driver in the No. 23 that year.

However, in 2022, the team added the No. 45 car to their ranks, with Busch being the driver to get the nod to take the seat.

Now, reflecting on doing the deal that saw him sign for the team, Busch has declared it one of the coolest things to have happened during his career, revealing words from MJ that left him 'blown away'.

“When Michael Jordan hired me on 23XI Racing, this is one of the coolest things that ever happened to me in my career," Busch told Racer.

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Kurt Busch blown away by Michael Jordan

Recounting the meeting, Busch continued: "I walked into a boardroom and he was in there with his lawyer and me and my lawyer and Michael says, ‘Kurt, we’ve already got the contract done.’

"I said, ‘Yes sir, why is that?’ And Michael Jordan said to me: ‘We want you to develop this new team because we know you race from your heart. That’s the same way I play basketball.’ I was blown away.

"Michael said, ‘We know you have the talent, we know you have the leadership, we know you have the grit to do it, but you have from your heart, just like I played basketball.’

"I just fell in love with that, and that was my shining moment and moniker on my way out.”

Sadly, Busch only went on to drive for 23XI in 20 races before his season and career were cut short by a crash in qualifying at Pocono Raceway.

After a lengthy period on the sidelines recovering from his injuries after the accident, Busch officially announced his retirement from NASCAR in August 2023.

READ MORE: NASCAR star Bubba Wallace issues message as Cup Series driver confirms team exit

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