While Denny Hamlin can be a spiteful and aggressive competitor to his rivals, he also has the capability to be a graceful and gentle person when he’s full of gratitude. The 23XI Racing co-owner recently showcased the latter side of his personality when talking about a couple of people who may have previously drawn his ire.

Denny Hamlin opens up on inner workings of 23XI

During the time 23XI Racing was in a legal battle against NASCAR, there were some leaks of chats. In those leaked chats, it was clear that both parties did not like each other at certain points. But then there were more leaked chats.

This time it was a couple of 23XI executives, Curtis Polk and Eugene Mason. In those chats, they’re allegedly bad-mouthing Denny Hamlin. But despite this, during a recent interview on Kevin Harvick’s Happy Hour, the #11 driver had nice things to say about the two confidants of Michael Jordan.

“It’s not just him. He has guys like Curtis Polk and Eugene Mason behind the scenes that work with me day to day. We consult and we confer on everything. A lot of the big decisions and they’re also ones that have had a lot of input on the direction of this team. So, I really feel happy about where that team is at and where it stands,” he described.

This isn’t the first time Hamlin has defended Polk. Last year, when there were claims that Curtis Polk had arranged for a boycott of a qualifying race as a way to negotiate the charter agreement, Hamlin was surprised and completely denied such claims.

“I was very surprised to hear some of the accusation of what was said. All I can really tell you is that I have been in business with Curtis now for five years. The guy is one of the most respected businessmen in all of sports.”

Hamlin claimed that the partnership between the majority owners and him and Michael Jordan is ‘perfect’ as the NBA legend believes in him. He revealed he has the autonomy to advise him on certain things, on which sometimes there are agreements and sometimes disagreements.

He further mentioned that to see 23XI Racing put itself in the elite company and ‘upper echelon’ of NASCAR teams who have been around for decades, is what he aspires to be.

While Hamlin spoke highly of his team’s leadership, Michael Jordan in turn praised the #11 driver himself.

Michael Jordan credits Hamlin majorly for 23XI’s growth

For an organization that was announced in 2020 as a one-car team, Michael Jordan and Denny Hamlin have come a long way with 23XI. Since their first race in 2021 to the most recent in 2026, 23XI has 12 wins and 9 poles.

Three of those 12 wins came this season as Tyler Reddick won three races in a row, making NASCAR history in the process.

Speaking about his team’s growth, Denny Hamlin looked back on the early days. He recalled the team had three employees, it was all zero, and that they built it, which he finds ‘pretty amazing.’

Michael Jordan shared a similar sentiment when it comes to 23XI’s growth.

“I’m proud of the team that we put together,” Jordan said as per The Athletic. “… I think a lot of credit goes to (Hamlin), because I think he’s the mastermind, finding Tyler and putting together (crew chief) Billy Scott and all of them.”

Having said that, Michael Jordan clarified that he’s a competitor who just puts up the money. He credited Hamlin for doing ‘an unbelievable job’ in helping him build 23XI. Michael Jordan claimed that to him, it is all about winning, something the team has done a good job at by taking their leadership and executing.