In NASCAR, dominance is often defined by legacy, performance, and star power. For years, Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR) has epitomized all three. Since its establishment in 1992, the team quickly rose to prominence, winning its first Cup Series championship in 2000 with Bobby Labonte. Over the decades, JGR has fielded some of the sport’s biggest names, from Tony Stewart to Kyle Busch. They managed to capture five Cup Series championships along the way. Their reign at the top seemed untouchable, until a new challenger emerged from their own blood.
In 2021, NBA legend Michael Jordan teamed up with JGR’s legendary Cup Series driver Denny Hamlin to form 23XI Racing. With Jordan’s influence and Hamlin’s expertise, the team made an immediate impact on the sport by securing Kurt Busch and Bubba Wallace. By 2024, 23XI had already established itself as a major force. But with their growing success, one burning question still lingers.
Has Michael Jordan’s 23XI Racing quietly surpassed Joe Gibbs Racing in the NASCAR hierarchy?
The rise of 23XI Racing – a team worthy of challenging JGR’s dominance
In a recent discussion on Instagram, NASCAR reporter from Charlotte Observer, Shane Connuck sparked a compelling conversation about the rising dominance of 23XI Racing. Connuck observed, “Something I think is interesting right now is how strong 23XI has been itself. That team has just been making strides.” This observation comes as 23XI continues to grow in prominence. “Tyler Reddick and Bubba Wallace are really competing almost better than the Gibbs cars and when you look at the top Toyota team in the sport right now,” he further added.
This observation captures the seismic shift unfolding in NASCAR. For decades, Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR) stood unchallenged in the Toyota camp, producing champions and dominating the field. However, the arrival of 23XI Racing in 2021, backed by NBA icon Michael Jordan and JGR star driver Denny Hamlin, has quickly changed the landscape. As each season passed, 23XI began closing the gap, and by 2025, the conversation turned from “When will they catch up?” to “Have they already surpassed JGR?”
December 2021 started off with a statement from Hamlin. “My passion for work is still really, really high and I knew that I wanted to run a business. I didn’t know what that would business would be, it turns out it’s team ownership. And hopefully I make the right decisions in the long term to make that all work out,” he said.
In 2022, 23XI Racing expanded to a two-car team with Kurt Busch joining Bubba Wallace. Kurt Busch secured a win at Kansas Speedway, marking a significant milestone for the team. Despite this success, Wallace struggled to find consistency, finishing 24th in the standings. The team’s expansion and performance improvements set the stage for future growth.
Joe Gibbs Racing maintained its dominance in 2022, with drivers consistently performing well. However, the team faced challenges, particularly with Kyle Busch’s inconsistent form throughout the season. He also moved to Richard Childress Racing that year. But, they still had Hamlin and Bell drivers competing for playoff spots.
In 2023, 23XI Racing continued to improve with Tyler Reddick replacing Kurt Busch. Reddick secured two wins and made the Round of 8 in the playoffs, while Bubba Wallace reached the Round of 12. Wallace finished 17th in the standings, marking a significant improvement from previous years. The team’s progress was notable, as they began to establish themselves as a force to be reckoned with in NASCAR.
Joe Gibbs Racing maintained its competitive edge in 2023. Martin Truex Jr. secured several wins, including at Sonoma Raceway, where he led 51 laps. Ty Gibbs, despite not winning any races, had a notable rookie season with four top fives and ten top tens, earning him the Sunoco Rookie of the Year award.
An excited Ty Gibbs said to NASCAR.com, “I’m always going to push it and get the most that I can. There are times that you can push it over the limit, over slip the tire, and it’s going to hurt you. That stuff happens, but I feel like for me, I’m going to work the best I can every week, work hard in the simulator and get my setups really close for the race weekend.” JGR’s overall performance and championship contention remained superior, with their drivers consistently performing well throughout the season.
By 2024, 23XI Racing had become a formidable force as they surprise-hired Xfinity phenom, Tyler Reddick. And, the hire was done by Hamlin himself, and he had a good reason to do it. “I watched him, I raced against him, I wanted him and I got him,” Hamlin said. However, the situation was very dicey for Reddick as his contract with RCR had not expired completely. But, terms were settled down between the teams.
Reddick secured two wins and was leading the 2024 regular season championship. Wallace also showed improvement, with several top-ten finishes. The team’s use of simulation data has been key to their success, allowing them to prepare effectively for races. Reddick’s performance has been particularly strong, positioning him for a potential championship run.
Joe Gibbs Racing maintained its position as a top-tier team in 2024. Christopher Bell consistently performed well, securing three wins in the season and ranking 5th in the overall season. Their technical prowess and driver talent ensured JGR remained a force to be reckoned with.
DAYTONA BEACH, FL – FEBRUARY 13: Bubba Wallace 23 23XI Racing McDonald s Toyota celebrates after winning the running of Duel 1 at Daytona on February 13, 2025 at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, FL. Photo by Jeff Robinson/Icon Sportswire AUTO: FEB 13 NASCAR, Motorsport, USA Cup Series Daytona 500 Duels EDITORIAL USE ONLY Icon250216992
In 2025, 23XI Racing expanded to three cars, adding Riley Herbst to the lineup. This expansion, combined with ongoing legal disputes involving NASCAR, has not deterred the team’s performance. Reddick and Wallace continue to push for top results, challenging JGR’s dominance. Wallace even won the 1st Duel at Daytona this year. As the season unfolds, it remains to be seen if 23XI can surpass JGR in overall performance and championship contention.
Christopher Bell showcased his prowess, gathering 2 wins out of three opening races in NASCAR this season. Joe Gibbs Racing could hold the cup if Bell continues his journey with this intent. But, with all this on the line, do you think 23XI Racing winning the championship put a dent on Joe Gibbs racing? If yes, then you might be up for a surprize!
The unseen partnership between Joe Gibbs Racing and 23XI Racing
In the competitive world of NASCAR, teams often appear as fierce rivals on the track, but beneath the surface, strategic partnerships can be just as crucial as raw speed. One such partnership is the technical alliance between 23XI Racing and Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR).
The technical alliance between 23XI Racing and Joe Gibbs Racing was established in 2021, with Toyota Racing Development providing engines and technical assistance to 23XI, while JGR supplies chassis and other services. This partnership has been instrumental in 23XI’s rapid growth, allowing them to access resources and expertise that would be difficult to develop independently.
Despite competing against each other on the track, the two teams share a symbiotic relationship that benefits both parties. For instance, 23XI Racing’s success is partly attributed to this alliance, which has enabled them to secure wins and playoff spots, as seen with Tyler Reddick’s performances in 2023 and 2024.
Denny Hamlin’s dual role as a driver for Joe Gibbs Racing and co-owner of 23XI Racing adds an intriguing layer to this partnership. Hamlin’s long-standing relationship with Toyota, which he has represented for over a decade, has been pivotal in securing support for 23XI Racing.
His involvement in both teams highlights the blurred lines between competition and cooperation in NASCAR. This unique situation allows for a flow of knowledge and resources that can enhance the performance of both teams. For example, Hamlin’s experience with JGR can inform strategic decisions at 23XI, while 23XI’s innovative approaches might also influence JGR’s tactics.
The partnership between 23XI Racing and Joe Gibbs Racing also reflects broader trends in NASCAR, where technical alliances are becoming increasingly common. Other notable alliances in NASCAR include Front Row Motorsports’ partnership with Team Penske, which focuses on engineering and pit crew development. Similarly, Hendrick Motorsports’ alliance with Spire Motorsports has contributed to significant growth for Spire.
These alliances allow smaller teams to access better resources and compete more effectively against larger, more established teams. However, they also raise questions about the balance between cooperation and competition. As NASCAR continues to evolve, the success of partnerships like the one between 23XI and JGR will be closely watched as they navigate the fine line between mutual benefit and competitive integrity.
The relationship between 23XI Racing and Joe Gibbs Racing is a testament to the strategic complexity of NASCAR. While they appear as competitors on the surface, their technical alliance underscores the collaborative nature of the sport. As 23XI Racing continues to grow and challenge for championships, its partnership with JGR will remain a crucial factor in its success.
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