NASCAR driver Denny Hamlin said Michael Jordan’s professional mindset and advice have fundamentally changed how he races and manages his team [1].
The influence of the NBA legend on Hamlin’s leadership highlights the intersection of elite athletic psychology and the high-stakes environment of professional auto racing. By applying principles from basketball to the track, Hamlin aims to build a more accountable and performance-driven organization.
Speaking in a 2024 episode of Yahoo Finance’s "Power Players" series, Hamlin said the impact of Jordan’s approach to competition [3]. Hamlin, a 21-year veteran driver [4], said that Jordan’s focus on preparation and accountability helps improve overall performance [2].
According to Hamlin, the core advice Jordan provided to the 23XI Racing team was "no excuses" [2]. This philosophy emphasizes a refusal to justify failure, instead pushing the team to identify and fix the root causes of poor performance.
"Jordan’s mindset taught me to focus on the process, not just the result, and that’s changed how I race and run the team," Hamlin said [2].
This focus on the process has coincided with continued success for Hamlin, who won a race this year in 2026 [5]. The partnership between the driver and the former athlete serves as a blueprint for how Jordan's competitive drive translates to the ownership side of motorsports.
While the mentorship has yielded operational gains, the relationship exists alongside broader industry tensions. Reports indicate a pending antitrust trial between NASCAR and Michael Jordan, with Hamlin mentioned in the proceedings [6]. Despite these legal complexities, Hamlin continues to lean on Jordan's strategic advice to maintain a competitive edge on the track.
“"No excuses" – the core advice Michael Jordan gave to the 23XI Racing team.”
The application of Michael Jordan's 'no-excuses' philosophy to 23XI Racing demonstrates a shift toward corporate-style accountability in NASCAR team ownership. However, the contrast between this internal mentorship and the external antitrust litigation suggests a complex relationship where professional admiration and legal disputes coexist within the sport's power structure.
