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Some things about <\/span>Michael Jordan<\/b><\/a> simply never change. <\/span><\/p>\n The man who once trash-talked opponents into submission on the basketball court has found a new arena for his relentless competitive streak \u2014 and his latest target happens to be his own business partner.<\/span><\/p>\n After the final lap at Kansas Speedway on Sunday, April 19, cameras <\/span>captured a moment<\/span><\/a> that perfectly encapsulated the Jordan mystique.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n As 23XI Racing driver <\/span>Tyler Reddick<\/b> celebrated yet another victory, Jordan was spotted walking toward <\/span>Denny Hamlin<\/b> \u2014 his co-owner and, on race day, his rival. What happened next was pure Jordan theater.<\/span><\/p>\n He wrapped his hand around Hamlin\u2019s neck and planted a kiss on the side of his head before walking away. No words necessary. The message was clear to anyone who has ever watched Jordan operate: I got you.<\/span><\/p>\n To understand why this moment was so delicious for Jordan, you have to understand the dynamic.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Hamlin and Jordan <\/span>jointly own 23XI Racing<\/span><\/a>, a team launched ahead of the 2021 NASCAR Cup Series season. Three full-time Cup drivers compete for the organization: Reddick, <\/span>Bubba Wallace<\/b> and <\/span>Riley Herbst<\/b>.<\/span><\/p>\n Here\u2019s where it gets interesting. Despite co-owning the team, Hamlin continues to drive for rival team Joe Gibbs Racing and plans to race full-time against his own cars through the conclusion of the following season.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n That means on any given Sunday, Hamlin is both Jordan\u2019s partner and his competition.<\/span><\/p>\n For a man who famously turned everything \u2014 from card games to golf rounds \u2014 into a blood feud, this arrangement is practically a gift.<\/span><\/p>\n At <\/span>Kansas Speedway<\/span><\/a>, Hamlin was dominant. Driving the No. 11, he led for 131 laps \u2014 more than any other driver. With two laps to go, Hamlin was positioned to win. Then a late caution triggered an overtime restart that disrupted his lead.<\/span><\/p>\n Hamlin ultimately crossed the finish line in fourth place. Meanwhile, Reddick \u2014 Jordan and Hamlin\u2019s driver \u2014 overtook <\/span>Kyle Larson<\/b> on the final lap to claim victory.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n The win would have been Hamlin\u2019s fifth career triumph at the Kansas track. Instead, Reddick earned his fifth win of the 2026 season.<\/span><\/p>\n Jordan couldn\u2019t have scripted it better himself.<\/span><\/p>\n During an <\/span>interview with FOX Sports<\/span><\/a> after the race, Jordan laid bare the mindset that defined six NBA championships and now fuels his NASCAR ownership.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cLook, I\u2019m racing against Denny. So in essence, I really wanted to beat him because I know we\u2019re going to talk a lot of trash a little bit later.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n That single quote tells you everything. Jordan doesn\u2019t see himself as a passive team owner watching from the suite. He\u2019s competing. Hamlin isn\u2019t just his business partner \u2014 he\u2019s the guy Jordan wants to beat, personally.<\/span><\/p>\nThe Setup That Makes It All So Michael Jordan<\/h2>\n
A Race That Played Right Into Michael Jordan\u2019s Hands<\/h2>\n
Michael Jordan Pokes Fun at Denny Hamlin<\/h2>\n
Denny Hamlin Reveals the Trash Talk That Led to the Moment<\/h2>\n