Michael Jordan has played on basketball courts and baseball diamonds across his professional career. Now, he'll be on the racetrack ... sort of.
Jordan's Jumpman logo will be featured on Tyler Reddick's NASCAR vehicle for the Chicago Street Race, which is set to start at 4:30 p.m. ET Sunday.
Reddick's car will feature a slightly different Jumpman logo design, however. A depiction of a young Jordan in the same pose will take the place of the silhouette. It'll be on the hood and side of the car.
The car, No. 45, will be painted purple with a hint of yellow to give a sunset vibe to the vehicle for the Grant Park 165.
The Jumpman returns to the iconic streets of Chicago 🏀 pic.twitter.com/DoSdi1zd4N
— 23XI Racing (@23XIRacing) June 27, 2024
While Jordan won't be driving the car himself, he'll be taking on the NASCAR Cup Series in a unique way this weekend. The Sporting News explains why the NBA Hall of Famer is featured on Reddick's vehicle.
MORE: Full schedule of 2024 NASCAR Cup Series races
Why is the Jordan logo on Tyler Reddick's NASCAR vehicle?
Jordan was well known for his majority ownership of the Charlotte Hornets before selling his stake in 2023. He's less known for owning 23XI Racing in the NASCAR Cup Series.
The NBA legend co-owns the team with current driver Denny Hamlin.
Reddick, who drives No. 45, is a part of the 23XI Racing team along with Bubba Wallace, who drives No. 23. Jordan wore both numbers during his NBA career.
The No. 45 car will have the special Jumpman design on it as the NASCAR Cup Series hits Chicago — the city for which Jordan won six NBA championships.
It's not the first time a 23XI car has had a special Jordan branding. Kurt Busch, who formerly drove No. 45, had a custom design on his car in 2022 for the AdventHealth 400 in Kansas City.
Smoked 'em.@ToyotaRacing | @KurtBusch pic.twitter.com/xw8xBgCGd1
— FOX: NASCAR (@NASCARONFOX) May 15, 2022
Busch won the race and celebrated in his Jordan clothing gear after a burnout.
When is the Chicago Street Race?
- Date: Sunday, July 7
- Time: 4:30 p.m. ET
- Location: Grant Park in Chicago, Illinois
The Chicago Street Race, also known as the Grant Park 165, will take place at 4:30 p.m. ET Sunday, July 7. The race is just 75 laps and 165 miles, which is much shorter than the typical the 300- or 400-mile races of the Cup Series.
It's just the second street course race in NASCAR history — after last year's Grant Park 165 — and will run through its namesake Grant Park.
