Denny Hamlin and Michael Jordan sent shock waves across the NASCAR circuit as revealed their intentions of co-owning a new team for the NASCAR Cup Series 2021 season. However, this is not the first time they have been associated together for something. Hamlin has been a Brand Jordan athlete for a while now.

The two star athletes have been friends apart from their professional relationship as well. Their friendship dates back to 2009, and it all started at a basketball game. Denny Hamlin explained how their friendship blossomed. At the same time, he also offered some insight into Jordan’s competitive side.

Denny Hamlin speaks about his friendship with Michael Jordan

“I met him at a basketball game in 2009, in Charlotte. He stopped me and he was like, ‘Hey, I’m Michael. Nice to meet you’, and I’m like of course, right?” Hamlin said in an interview last year.

“We exchanged phone numbers. Next thing you know, we’re texting in the second half of this basketball game. We just started talking a little bit. About racing, whatnot,” Hamlin added.

The Joe Gibbs Racing driver then spoke about an incident where Michael Jordan was livid with him for finishing second in a race.

When Jordan was unhappy with Hamlin for a 2nd place finish

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“Starting from that point on, he started texting me every other week or so, to say, ‘Hey, good luck this weekend’. Then he’ll text me after the race and say, ‘Good job’ or ‘What the hell did you do, why did you do that?’

“This past week when I finished second, he was like, ‘(expletive), damn it. You were so close. You should have moved him’, and I’m like, ‘Yeah, I should’ve moved him out of the way’. Then he’s like, ‘He would’ve done it to you, you get him first’. He’s pretty passionate about it,” Hamlin declared.

It is this competitive nature and winning mentality that makes Jordan one of the greatest athletes in the world. The NBA legend himself said this week that he expects results from his new team.

Jordan revealed that the reason he and Hamlin chose Bubba Wallace as their team’s driver is that they believe he can win races. Wallace has a huge responsibility ahead of him. Can he handle the pressure?

“Has the Potential”- Michael Jordan Feels Bubba Wallace Matches His Will to Win in NASCAR