"Terrified" Michael Jordan seemingly relieved after becoming a championship-winning owner following 23XI's success
NBA and Chicago Bulls legend Michael Jordan felt the nerves amid his NASCAR team 23XI's 2024 regular-season championship win as Tyler Reddick finished 10th in Sunday's Cook Out Sothern 500 race. Reddick bagged the regular season title by a one-point margin.
Jordan was tensed while attending his team's first win. The 23XI co-owner expressed concern for his drivers while the four-hour event was in progress.
"I'm absolutely terrified for him right now," Jordan said about Bubba Wallace.
"Cause' I want him to do well obviously, and Tyler too, I know Tyler's a little sick, but he's struggling trying to get through ... That's what NASCAR's all about, I enjoy it, you know, I don't have basketball anymore but this could replace it very easily."
Michael Jordan's emotions wavered as his racers, Bubba Wallace and Tyler Reddick, faced ample adversity to accomplish their goals. Wallace hoped to secure a playoff berth, while Redick dealt with the flu during the race as he fought for the regular season championship honor.
Wallace lost out on his shot at a playoff berth following an early clash, wasting his pole start. Meanwhile, Reddick overcame the flu to finish 10th and win his first regular-season title. His 37 points at the Darlington Raceway saw him edge past Kyle Larson for a one-point win to secure the championship. He will advance to the playoffs for the ultimate prize.
Michael Jordan finds Tyler Reddick's 'flu race' relatable
If there's anyone who knows how to remain on the winning side despite dealing with the flu, it's Michael Jordan. The man who made waves across the NBA world in 1997 with his iconic 'flu game' experienced a relatable instance when his NASCAR 2024 regular season championship-winning racer, Tyler Reddick, underwent a similar situation to bag his title on Sunday night.
“I mean, I know what it feels like to be sick and trying to perform, and just to do what he did, I mean, I wasn’t going around 200 miles an hour in a car, but I’m proud of his effort, and we needed it,” Jordan said (via NASCAR.com).
“We won by one point. I mean, he gutted it out. So hopefully he feels better tomorrow, and we feel better next week.”
Michael Jordan 'gutted it out' in Game 5 of the 1997 NBA Finals between the Bulls and the Jazz, tallying 38 points in a pivotal clash to give his team a 90-88 win on the road to go up 3-2. Chicago didn't have the momentum after losing Games 3 and 4 on the road, making it critical to win that contest.
The Bulls could have easily faltered in that game because of Jordan's health issues. However, the five-time MVP dig deep into his competitive spirit to get the win in probably the toughest game of his career.