Bubba Wallace And 23XI Racing Partner With Toyota [VIDEO]

This morning Denny Hamlin revealed that his new joint NASCAR venture with Michael Jordan, 23XI Racing will partner with Toyota next year.

The car was presented for the first time on the CBS morning show today in front of a national audience.

As I previously speculated, Bubba Wallace will pilot the #23 Toyota Camry NASCAR in 2021 with the car set to make it’s official debut at the Daytona 500 in February.

Toyota Racing Development (TRD) will build the engines for the team and provide tech and data support.

It was also revealed that part of the partnership includes a deal with Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR) to sell chassis and other services to 23XI Racing.

Even though the team is still in its very early days, team owner Michael Jordan is already focused on the ultimate goal.

“My main goal for 23XI Racing is to be competitive for a championship as soon as possible,” said Jordan. Anyone whos seen The Last Dance documentary series won’t be surprised by this statement at all.

I think now the first order of business for 23XI Racing is to try and bring on sponsors and additional partners. Despite the heavy hitters behind the scenes, being a single-car team in the highest level of NASCAR is going to be rough. They will need all the support they can get.

I am still going to speculate that Nike may come on board at some point. Though, perhaps they might wait and see how the team handles its first few races first.

Bubba Wallace will need to make sure he has a very strong showing at the Daytona 500 next year, as his performance may set the pace for the team’s success going forward.

To watch the CBS morning show reveal and interview with Denny Hamlin and Bubba Wallace, scroll below for the video.

For a better look at the 23XI Racing Toyota Camry, check out the gallery below. For more info and statements the press release is below as well.

23XI Racing #23 Toyota Camry reveal video

23XI Racing #23 Toyota Camry gallery

Press Release

23XI RACING PARTNERS WITH TOYOTA, JGR

Toyota is pleased to announce their support of the new NASCAR Cup Series team 23XI Racing, which is co-owned by NBA legend Michael Jordan and current NASCAR Cup Series championship contender Denny Hamlin. 23XI Racing will make its debut in the 2021 Daytona 500 with Bubba Wallace behind the wheel of the No. 23 Toyota Camry.
The partnership with Toyota Motor North America (TMNA) includes support from Toyota Racing Development, U.S.A. (TRD), who will build the team’s engines and provide technology, data and technical assistance.

“We are excited to be a part of this new team with Michael, Denny and Bubba,” said Ed Laukes, Group Vice President of Toyota Division Marketing at TMNA. “As a Chicago native, I saw firsthand Michael’s determination as he led his team to multiple NBA championships. I know he brings that same drive and work ethic to this new opportunity. Denny has been a valuable part of the Toyota family for over a decade and we are happy to support him as he takes the next step into NASCAR team ownership. We are also thrilled to bring Bubba back to the Toyota family. Bubba achieved many firsts with Toyota, and we are counting on him earning many more victories with 23XI Racing behind the wheel of a Camry.”

The Toyota relationship will also incorporate an agreement with Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR) to allow 23XI Racing to purchase chassis and other services. As is the case with many other Toyota and TRD teams within the NASCAR garages, technical information and communication amongst the teams will be encouraged to help improve performance across the Toyota and TRD family of teams and drivers.

“We’re excited to have the opportunity to provide resources to this new Toyota team to help them get started,” said Joe Gibbs, owner of Joe Gibbs Racing. “We can remember being in a similar position nearly three decades ago and we were fortunate to have a similar agreement that helped us in the beginning. We’re happy for Denny to realize his dream of ownership and certainly it’s a big deal for NASCAR to have someone with the respect and stature of Michael Jordan enter our sport.”

A lifelong NASCAR fan, Jordan was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2009. He played 13 seasons for the Chicago Bulls, leading them to six NBA Championships. In 2010, he became the majority owner of the Charlotte Hornets (then Bobcats) and is the first former player to become the majority owner of an NBA franchise.

“My main goal for 23XI Racing is to be competitive for a championship as soon as possible,” said Jordan. “Our partnership with Toyota and Joe Gibbs Racing gives us the equipment, resources and expertise to do it.”

Hamlin has been a vital part of the Toyota family for over a decade. Since first climbing behind the wheel of a Camry in 2008, Hamlin has scored 41 victories, three Daytona 500 wins and has finished in the top-10 in the point standings 10 times. He has earned seven victories this season and has advanced to the Round of 8 as he pursues his first NASCAR Cup Series title.

“Toyota has been a big part of my NASCAR career,” said Hamlin. “We’ve achieved multiple milestones together including back-to-back Daytona 500 victories. I know how they support their teams, and when I decided move to team ownership, I knew that I wanted Toyota to be alongside our team. Toyota supports my vision with this team and will be integrated with our team members to support us as we grow and strive to achieve race wins and championships.”

23XI Racing marks a return to the Toyota family for Bubba Wallace. Wallace first joined Toyota in 2011 as a part of Rev Racing in what’s now the ARCA Menards Series East. As a 17-year-old, he drove to three wins and a runner-up finish in the point standings. In 2012, he joined Joe Gibbs Racing and made his NASCAR Xfinity Series debut, scoring a top-10 finish. From 2013-2014, Wallace competed in the Truck Series with Kyle Busch Motorsports (KBM), including becoming the first African-American to win in NASCAR in nearly 40 years when he drove to victory at Martinsville Speedway in October 2013. Wallace added four additional victories and two top-10 finishes in the final point standings in his tenure with KBM.

The No. 23 Toyota Camry will make its debut in the 2021 Daytona 500 and join fellow Toyota teams, Joe Gibbs Racing and Gaunt Brothers Racing, in the Great American Race on February 14, 2021.

— Toyota Racing —

[Source: 23XIRacing.com]