Michael Jordan, the basketball icon whose name echoes excellence, stunned the sports world when he co-founded 23XI Racing with NASCAR veteran Denny Hamlin in 2020. As detailed in Slicks and Sticks, Jordan’s competitive fire and Hamlin’s racing prowess turned the team into a force, starting with Bubba Wallace as their first driver and expanding to include Tyler Reddick. By 2025, the team had clinched seven Cup Series wins, shaking up a sport long defined by tradition. For them, racing for Jordan’s team is a dream come true, but it’s their new roles as fathers that add a profound weight to their high-speed lives.

Being a father and staying on the road throughout the year can be very taxing. While their careers demand everything—focus, grit, and sacrifice, fatherhood cannot be sidelined. However, we have noticed changes in Kyle Busch and Bubba Wallace after they became fathers. Their aggressive demeanor shifted to being calm, composed, and thoughtful. The careers look bright, but there are regrets associated.

Bubba Wallace and Tyler Reddick’s Father’s Day out

Here’s where it gets real. In an interview with FOX, Bubba Wallace said, “I thought about this this week. You know, the most important thing is family. Watching my son grow up. It’s interesting that I say my son. This still hasn’t set in yet.” While the #23 driver reflected on how he is still overwhelmed by the fact that he has a son now, Reddick, who is going to be a father second time, had something else to say. “It’s helped me understand that I can work harder. So for me, I found that being a dad, there’s more pressure,” he said. While one of them is overwhelmed by happiness, the other is burdened by the responsibilities he has to take as a father. But do you know what hurts most?

“Our lifestyle is beyond hectic. It takes you away from a lot of good memories. And, you know, I told myself, I need to start living more through his eyes.” These words cut deep. They’re not just drivers; they are dads wrestling with the guilt of missed moments and the drive to secure their families’ futures. In this candid conversation, Tyler Reddick said, “Where I’m at today, I gotta go out there and do my part to provide for my family.” Bubba’s vow to live through his son’s eyes reveals a man learning to slow down, even as his career races forward. Tyler’s quiet determination to provide reflects a work ethic sharpened by fatherhood. But things will get tougher if they do not provide each other a helping hand.

Bubba Wallace also said, “I look down there in the garage and see a race car being pushed around, and it’s the same sight I see. Not many years in the cup.” While drivers are replaceable, teams still function. Bubba’s silent message shows why he understood family is more important. Sharing his final thoughts, he said, “If there’s a challenge in front of me, I’m in.” The garage, with its roaring engines and high-stakes pressure, is their battleground, but it’s the sleepless nights and small smiles at home that redefine their purpose. Racing for 23XI Racing means carrying Jordan’s legacy.

It sounded best as Tyler Reddick put it: “You know, just driving in the Cup Series was something that was a dream of mine as a kid growing up. Everyone could have imagined that it would be driving in a Cup Series, let alone for someone like Michael Jordan and Denny Hamlin.” While it is a dream come true, the sacrifices associated are also heavy. Every crash, like Wallace’s at Kansas, stings more when it’s time away from his child, Becks. Every lap Tyler pushes through is for his growing family, a reminder of why he can’t let up. But, ever imagined how their wives must be feeling?

Bubba’s wife, Amanda, has been candid about the challenges of motherhood, sharing the emotional toll of raising their son, Becks, in a world where NASCAR’s schedule pulls Bubba away. From joining Denny Hamlin’s family to celebrate his eldest daughter’s special day to posting a heartfelt note after a grueling Daytona race, Amanda’s resilience is a quiet strength. Tyler’s wife, Alexa, recently shared the joyful news of their second child, due soon, adding to the whirlwind of their family life. Jordan Fish, Hamlin’s partner, warned of a “chaotic June” as these families grow, a nod to the juggling act they all face. This act stands true for the recreational time among friends working in the motorsports industry.

Remember how Bubba Wallace said, “I raised that little kid,” while trading trash-talking in lighter off-season moments around the Las Vegas race? Yes! He said it for his long-time friend Ryan Blaney. It was because Blaney made a mistake and almost ended the race for his best friend. The friends later met on April 3, 2025. How do we know? Well, the internet was buzzing with hilarious X posts of them taking jabs at each other. But Gianna Blaney, Ryan’s wife, stole the show with an Instagram post, which she shared when she hung out with Becks, captioned, “I had the best day.” Maybe teammates Wallace and Reddick should develop this feeling as they are into it together.

As 23XI Racing climbs higher, Bubba Wallace and Tyler Reddick shoulder more than a team’s ambitions. They’re racing for their wives, their kids, and the chance to build memories that outlast any trophy. The sport’s demands—crashes, rivalries, and the weight of Jordan’s name—test their resolve, but fatherhood has grounded them. It’s a double life of speed and sacrifice, where the finish line isn’t just on the track.

And the drivers are not alone. Soon, their other owner will join them with added responsibilities in the coming days.

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Denny Hamlin Makes Feelings Clear on His Baby Boy’s Racing Future

Denny Hamlin’s heartfelt wait for his baby boy

Denny Hamlin’s life is about to change, and he’s counting down the days. The NASCAR star and his fiancée, Jordan Fish, are expecting their first son, adding to their family with daughters Taylor and Molly. The 44-year-old driver is used to high-speed races, but waiting for his baby boy feels like the biggest moment yet.

When asked about his son’s future, Hamlin’s clear: no pressure to follow in his tire tracks. “I am trying to push my kids away from the racing as much as I can,” he told reporters. That’s a dad’s love, not a racer’s ambition. Still, he can’t help but picture cheering from the sidelines, whatever path his son chooses. Jordan, glowing with anticipation, posted a Mother’s Day tribute that warmed hearts. The couple, engaged last year, is cherishing this special time. Hamlin admitted he’s already imagining late-night cuddles.

Balancing NASCAR and fatherhood is on Hamlin’s mind. “This baby’s already changing me,” he said. “Every decision is for my family now.” As he gears up for his next race, Hamlin’s carrying extra drive—the love for his growing family. For Denny, that’s the actual finish line, and it’s closer than ever.