The No. 23 is coming out of retirement, but this time it won't be on a Wizards jersey.
Bubba Wallace will drive the No. 23 car for 23XI Racing, the NASCAR Cup Series team co-owned by Michael Jordan and Denny Hamlin. Pronounced "twenty-three eleven," the team name combines Jordan's legendary jersey number with the car number Hamlin has used throughout his career.
MORE: NASCAR reinstates Kyle Larson from suspension
"A new chapter in Motorsports," Hamlin tweeted Thursday after the official announcement. "The norm doesn't fit for us. This is only the beginning."
𝙃𝙚𝙧𝙚 𝙬𝙚 𝙘𝙤𝙢𝙚. #23 pic.twitter.com/vuH3wKRa5M
— 23XI Racing (@23XIRacing) October 22, 2020
Here is the logo for the 23XI Racing team co-owned by Denny Hamlin and Michael Jordan: pic.twitter.com/bbIqGvKcst
— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) October 22, 2020
Wallace also shared his excitement on Twitter: "This is the start of the new adventure! So ready!"
This is the start of the new adventure! So ready! #23XI https://t.co/8y9UY6fo32
— Bubba Wallace (@BubbaWallace) October 22, 2020
It is unclear who the manufacturer will be for 23XI Racing, but Hamlin drives for Joe Gibbs Racing in a Toyota. Gibbs said earlier this month that he believes Wallace will also end up in a Toyota.
Joe Gibbs says his team is still working with Denny Hamlin and Michael Jordan on an alliance deal but thinks Bubba Wallace will wind up driving a Toyota next season. #NASCAR pic.twitter.com/uy89CLLq51
— Matt Mayer (@MatthewMayerCBS) October 7, 2020
Wallace will make his debut with 23XI racing at the Daytona 500 in February 2021.
