Michael Jordan is not known because he played in the NBA, but it’s somewhat the other way around; the NBA (sport) is known because of him. In the ’80s and ’90s, he wasn’t just a basketball player; he was a global phenomenon, helping to shoot basketball and the NBA into international fame. While some might debate it, many hail him as the greatest to ever play the game, racking up six NBA championships with the Chicago Bulls.

However, folks who were either too young or not even born when he retired in 2003 might not fully grasp the scale of his impact. Today’s youngsters, like Tyler Reddick’s son Beau, might find it hard to understand just how monumental Michael Jordan was. Dale Earnhardt Jr recently shared his thoughts on this in his podcast, expressing a bit of sympathy for the new generation that didn’t witness MJ in action.

Does Dale Earnhardt Jr feel bad for the kids today who don’t really know Michael Jordan as the legendary athlete?

After Tyler Reddick nailed his sixth career win at Talladega, Michael Jordan celebrated with Reddick’s little guy, Beau, who didn’t quite grasp how famous Jordan really was. This cute moment caught everyone’s attention and even made its way into the post-race presser. Bob Pockrass threw a question at Reddick, asking if Beau thinks of Jordan as a basketball legend or just the sneaker guy. Reddick’s guess was, “Probably, with as young as he is, more is the guy with the shoe company, for sure.”

Dale Earnhardt Jr picked up on this during his podcast, reflecting on how it’s a bit of a bummer that today’s youngsters recognize the “Jordan” brand but don’t fully appreciate the man’s epic legacy. Dale Jr pointed out, “It’s interesting man uh talking to you know listening to some of the conversations in the industry how a lot of people like Tyler maybe even know him mainly by the shoes man, and not the game. That is fascinating. […] That’s crazy! That’s wild! That’s insane! Because I mean there’s no uh you know there there’s no debate about who was the greatest basketball NBA player of all time it’s Michael Jordan.”

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Dale Earnhardt Jr really digs having Michael Jordan at the track because it means NASCAR is getting popularity in spots it usually doesn’t reach. While NASCAR had its old haunts, with MJ around, the impact is off the charts—you just can’t quantify his influence. We’ve all been hyping the importance of having him as an owner these past few years, right?

But now, we’re actually seeing the real deal—his value as a winning owner. And if Jordan’s team clinches a championship, and there he is, delivering an owner’s speech on stage, that would be a monumental moment. Plus, as Denny Hamlin pointed out, Jordan isn’t just in NASCAR as an owner; he genuinely loves the sport. His passion rather than being just for show—draws serious business to NASCAR, boosting its profile big time.

Denny Hamlin recently opened up about the unique impact the NBA legend has on NASCAR

Giving a nod to a tweet from Ryan McGee, Denny Hamlin emphasized that Michael Jordan isn’t just any team owner. According to #11 JGR driver, Michael Jordan, he is not the type to skip track days or dodge meetings. “He is not an absentee owner for sure. He cares about this. He is a race fan first. I’m very, very grateful that we struck up the friendship that we did 14 years ago.”

During a chat with Jared Allen, Hamlin was asked what special contributions Michael Jordan brings to NASCAR that others might not, given his iconic status as an athlete. Hamlin pointed out that Jordan’s got some serious business connections. He doesn’t like to over-rely on him, but when Jordan steps in, it means something big, and he’s got a real talent for rallying the right people at the right moments.

Hamlin also highlighted how engaged Jordan is during VIP meet and greets. He’s not just there for show; he makes it a point to learn about the people he’s meeting—names, backgrounds, and what they do. He genuinely cares. That kind of attention to personal connections not only boosts morale but also strengthens team spirit, which was quite apparent when Jordan was seen celebrating Tyler Reddick’s win at Talladega, hugging and enthusiastically greeting his team members.