Bob Pockrass, a well-known NASCAR insider, has indicated that 23XI Racing, co-owned by Michael Jordan, is poised for expansion in the coming years, despite the current shortage of Toyota engines. Tyler Reddick’s remarkable performance has led 23XI Racing to its first-ever regular season championship, marking a significant milestone for the team. His stellar showings in the latter part of the season have brought Denny Hamlin and Jordan their inaugural victory, and they are eager for more achievements.
Having secured his spot in the playoffs, Reddick successfully fended off the formidable Hendrick Motorsports pair of Kyle Larson and Chase Elliott to clinch the regular season title. With the playoffs on the horizon, Pockrass’ insights are certainly encouraging for fans of 23XI.
In response to an inquiry from an X user about the potential for 23XI Racing’s expansion, especially in light of Brad Keselowski’s uncertainty regarding Roush Fenway Keselowski Racing’s three-car charter for the upcoming season, Pockrass stated, “23XI will still most likely expand as far as I can tell.”
Both RFK and 23XI operate two full-time Cup Series cars, and any expansion by Keselowski’s team could directly affect Jordan’s organization. However, no definitive reports have surfaced on this matter yet.
Additionally, the restructuring at Stewart-Haas Racing has released four charters, which remain unclaimed due to ongoing delays between NASCAR and team owners. Meanwhile, Michael Jordan, valued at $3.2 billion according to Forbes, is also navigating challenges with Toyota Racing Development.
Reports indicate that Toyota is facing a shortage of engines to meet the demands of 23XI Racing, even if the team opts to expand its charter for the upcoming season. Essentially, while an expansion for 23XI Racing seems likely, the final decision rests with TRD.
Denny Hamlin sheds light on 23XI Racing’s charter situation
Denny Hamlin, co-owner of 23XI Racing, recently shared insights about the team’s charter plans for the next season. Amid the ongoing discussions between NASCAR and team owners regarding charters, Hamlin noted that they are still in the early stages and are not “close” to finalizing a deal.
According to Bob Pockrass from Fox Sports:
“Denny Hamlin mentioned that there’s still a lot of work ahead to finalize a charter agreement: ‘I do not believe we’re close.’ I’ve heard from some owners and executives who feel progress is being made. Hamlin added, ‘Some think we are and some think we aren’t.'”
In the podcast “Actions Detrimental,” Hamlin expressed that 23XI Racing is looking for a reasonable charter deal from NASCAR.
“NASCAR has its position, and the teams have theirs. We’ll see how this unfolds in the coming weeks. It’s never been straightforward; from 23XI’s viewpoint, we would accept a decent deal—not necessarily a fair one, just a decent one—and we still have a long way to go.”
As Tyler Reddick of 23XI Racing prepares to compete for the NASCAR Cup Series championship against his co-owner Denny Hamlin in Atlanta this weekend, fellow driver Bubba Wallace has unfortunately missed the qualification.
