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BASKETBALL great Michael Jordan and three-time Daytona 500 winner Denny Hamlin have teamed up to form a new one-car NASCAR Cup Series team that will feature Bubba Wallace as its driver, the trio said. Monday.
Jordan, a six-time NBA champion, will serve as the team’s primary owner with Hamlin as a minority partner as he continues to drive for Joe Gibbs Racing.
Wallace, the only black driver at NASCAR’s highest level, was brought into the spotlight this year when he called on NASCAR (National Stock Car Racing Association) to ban the Confederate flag, which many Americans see as a symbol. of oppression. events was finally adopted.
The driver was later thought to have been the victim of a racial attack when a rope, a symbol related to lynching and America’s slave history, was found in his garage.
The U.S. Department of Justice said after an investigation that the rope may have been in the garage since last October and that Wallace was not the target of a hate crime, while NASCAR said the rope was used to open the door. from the garage.
“Historically, NASCAR has struggled with diversity and there have been few black owners,” Jordan said in a statement. “The timing seemed perfect as NASCAR is evolving and embracing social change more and more.”
Jordan added that he saw this as an opportunity to “educate a new audience and open up more opportunities for blacks in racing.”
The name, car number, manufacturer, sponsors and other details of the new team, which will begin racing in the 2021 season, will be announced at a future date.
Wallace said the role was ideal for him.
“This is a once in a lifetime opportunity that I think fits very well for me at this point in my career,” he added.
Gibbs said he was happy to lay the foundation for his racing career once he was done driving.
“Plus, Michael and Bubba can be a powerful voice together, not just in our sport, but well beyond,” said Gibbs. – Reuters
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