NASCAR director breaks silence on damning Michael – Sports News
The ripple impact from one podcast remark continues to maneuver by means of the NASCAR storage.
Days after Denny Hamlin revealed that a “prominent figure” instructed him Michael Jordan “does nothing for the sport,” one of the names circulating online has publicly denied any involvement.
Hamlin made the unique declare on his podcast, saying, “There was someone that we had a meeting with in Daytona that said Michael Jordan does nothing for the sport. And he is a prominent figure in the sport. He also has a podcast.”
The remark instantly triggered debate throughout the NASCAR neighborhood. With Michael Jordan serving as co-owner of 23XI Racing alongside Hamlin, and with the workforce recent off main on-track success, the suggestion that Jordan’s presence lacks worth struck many as implausible.
Forde, who hosts NASCAR’s Hauler Talk podcast, denied being the person referenced.
“It was not me. I was not in that meeting, and I didn’t say anything about Michael Jordan to Denny Hamlin,” Forde stated in feedback reported by journalist Kelly Crandall. “I’m flattered. I’m flattered people think I’m prominent enough … first of all, if it was me, I can promise you that Denny Hamlin would have used my name.”
Forde’s response did more than reject the accusation. It additionally referenced prior public stress between him and Hamlin. During final 12 months’s legal battle between 23XI Racing and NASCAR over the constitution settlement, Hamlin criticized an ESPN article on social media and prompt Forde had helped form its narrative.
“Please give credit to @mforde for helping you write this propaganda piece that they want pushed to switch the narrative,” Hamlin wrote on the time.
Jordan and 23XI Racing had been central figures within the antitrust lawsuit filed towards NASCAR in 2024, which was settled in December 2025. The case resulted in everlasting charters for groups and adjustments to income construction and governance.
On the observe, 23XI has opened the 2026 season strongly, together with a Daytona 500 victory and a subsequent win in Atlanta. NASCAR President Steve O’Donnell lately praised Jordan’s engagement.
“It’s surreal that he wins the Daytona 500 and then follows it up with back-to-back wins with Tyler Reddick,” O’Donnell stated. “He’s always there. He’s passionate and has been a fan for life. He helps bring us to new audiences, and we want to be respectful of him and the fact that he’s a true fan. It’s really cool to see.”
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