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“That’s Just Not Me” – Bubba Wallace Provides Fresh Details on His First Interaction With Michael Jordan

Published 02/22/2023, 1:30 PM EST

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The entire world has witnessed NBA legend Michael Jordan carve out his legacy. His journey comes with a lot of experience, from being a great sportsperson to owning a team in NASCAR now. Jordan, with Denny Hamlin, co-owner of 23XI Racing, chose his team, and it was Bubba Wallace who made it as the first race car driver in the team.

Though Wallace hasn’t achieved any massive wins in the Cup Series yet, he definitely has the potential. He certainly has been gaining popularity over time, good or not. While he himself has a powerful personality, working alongside two other strong-headed people might not be easy for him. If he works out his way, racing with the 23XI team can prove to be a career breakthrough for Wallace. 

Bubba Wallace on meeting the legend!

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In an exclusive interview with Complex, Wallace was asked about his first meeting with MJ, as he is considered a mythological figure in pop culture. Wallace recalled that he had received a call from MJ when his deal was going down.

He said, “I had to take a step back because there are not that many people that I get starstruck over. I didn’t get starstruck over meeting MJ, but I often find myself in scenarios when we’re together and BSing and talking about life and it’s cool to step back and see yourself in that moment. But it’s not like I’ve ever been at a loss for words or freaked out. That’s just not me. But I definitely enjoy the time that I do get to spend with him.”

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23XI Racing proving to be lucky for Wallace

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It started with inclusion in the 23XI Racing team, as it proved to be a good luck charm for him. MJ and Hamlin signing him came as a surprise because he was yet to win his first race in the Cup Series. He won his first race with his first-place finish at Talladega in 2021 and that led to his contract extension. In 2022, he finished in the 19th spot at the end of the season. But he will need to keep performing better more frequently. After a personal best season, Bubba Wallace aims for bigger swings in 2023. But this year presents fresh challenges for him, for instance, partnering with Tyler Reddick.

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Watch this Story: Bubba Wallace Reveals Unheard Reservations About Accepting Denny Hamlin and Michael Jordan’s Offer

Fans can wait and watch what this year brings in for Wallace. As for the Daytona 500, fans can’t wait to witness the second phase after the action-filled last Sunday. Do you think Wallace has the chance to score on top this year?

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Written by:

Tanvvi Anand

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Tanvvi is a NASCAR writer at Essentially Sports. After completing her Graduation degree in Psychology from St. Xavier's college, she pursued a career in the media & entertainment industry.
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Edited by:

Akash Pandhare