The new NASCAR season was significant. The sport turned over a new leaf over the off-season, adopting many new things. Ranging from a revamped championship format to permanent charters for teams, a fresh mindset ruled the garage. And surprisingly for a NASCAR veteran and others, that revitalized mindset also applied to NASCAR’s top man – Jim France – who made a unique gesture.

Jim France goes against tradition

“I don’t know, I’m probably misstating this, but I just don’t remember ever seeing Jim France in Victor Lane celebrating with anybody. So when I saw him stand there congratulating Mike, it was heartfelt. You could tell he was truly happy for the dude. I’m like, dang man. I don’t think I’ve ever seen this before. But this is very cool,” Rick Mast said on the Mast Cast podcast.

The nine-time winner in NASCAR’s second tier and NASCAR veteran could not help but notice the visual spectacle at the end of the Daytona 500 race. Last Sunday, Tyler Reddick clinched the prestigious race trophy – and effusively celebrated with his team, 23XI Racing, and his team owner, Michael Jordan. The six-time NBA champion also celebrated the moment with somebody entirely unexpected – NASCAR CEO Jim France.

The sport’s top man is rarely seen on the racetrack or on Victory Lane. Rick Mast, as a seasoned veteran, has noticed that, which makes Jim France‘s presence special. But what makes it sensational is the tumult that ensued in 2025.

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Just a few months ago, Michael Jordan shaking hands with Jim France would have been unimaginable. The NASCAR lawsuit had pitted 23XI and Front Row Motorsports against the sport’s elite. Until the lawsuit trial ended with a favorable settlement, France and Co. could hardly acknowledge Jordan’s presence. The intense cold war was apparent to everyone, hence making the Daytona 500 moment even more jaw-dropping.

Rick Mast had also been quite vocal during the lawsuit proceedings. In December 2024, when the lawsuit was just two months old, Mast warned that 23XI and FRM are driving down a dead end road with their legal battle. Last December as well, Mast predicted four possible outcomes of the lawsuit trial – one of which turned into a reality, which was a settlement before the jury got the case.

With the NASCAR lawsuit done and dusted, Jim France can look forward to fostering better relations with Michael Jordan and others. And another veteran upholds that approach.

Good communication is key

The animosity between NASCAR and its teams came out in 2025. Evidence of derogatory texts targeting Richard Childress and glaring financial troubles brought down the sport’s reputation. Amidst already dipping TV ratings and jittery experiments overseas, NASCAR was in need of change. According to Kevin Harvick, Jim France’s gesture with Michael Jordan is a step in the right direction.

“I wanna go back to my favorite moment in Victory Lane and just how ironic this whole scenario is with NASCAR and 23XI because Jim France and Michael Jordan shaking hands and Jim France and Denny Hamlin shaking hands — that is really good for our sport,” Kevin Harvick said.

“As Michael Jordan said in his interview, communicate — it’s all about communication, he mentioned it a few times in his interview — says a lot about us moving on.”

Indeed, the 23XI Racing owner emphasized the need to foster bonds. “Communication — the thing is, both sides have been somewhat at a stalemate, and we both needed to have conversations about change, how we can grow this sport,” said Michael Jordan.

Burying past differences and devising a path forward may help NASCAR a lot. Let’s wait and see how Jim France envisions this improvement.