More pieces of the 23XI Racing puzzle are falling into place, with part of the physical identity of the team being revealed on Friday.
The team confirmed the long-rumored news that they will field Toyota Camrys during the inaugural season of the team next year. The partnership was revealed on CBS This Morning.
JUST REVEALED: Here's the new race car for the Michael Jordan-owned @Nascar team @23XIRacing, ahead of its debut on the track next year.
This morning, @ToyotaRacing is unveiling its partnership with the team.@BubbaWallace and @dennyhamlin join us live from @CLTMotorSpdwy. pic.twitter.com/L7iTpXqkLu
— CBS Mornings (@CBSMornings) October 30, 2020
Co-owner Denny Hamlin and 23XI’s driver Bubba Wallace were on hand for the reveal.
Proud to support @DennyHamlin and @23XIRacing! Welcome back @BubbaWallace and welcome to the Toyota family #MichaelJordan! pic.twitter.com/MsEpgvifDi
— Toyota Racing (@ToyotaRacing) October 30, 2020
“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.”
In addition, 23XI will utilize a partnership with Joe Gibbs Racing, purchasing chassis as well as share technical information between the teams. According to a media release, the communication between the TRD teams will be encouraged to help improve the performance of the Toyota camp across the board.
Here is the full layout of the @23XIRacing Toyota that was revealed this morning.
Designed by @J_Cal_Designs #NASCAR pic.twitter.com/gfJ9FMSUsx
— Michael Carey (@ItsMichaelCarey) October 30, 2020
“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.”
23XI co-owner Denny Hamlin, who currently drives a Toyota for Joe Gibbs Racing, has had a long history working with the manufacturer.
“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.”
Wallace will rejoin the Toyota team for the first time since leaving the camp to join Roush Fenway Racing for 2015. He has won in a Toyota before – scoring multiple wins for Kyle Busch Motorsports in the NASCAR Gander RV and Outdoors Truck Series.
Future partners for the team are expected to be announced in the coming weeks. DoorDash is expected to move over to the new team after joining Wallace at Richard Petty Motorsports earlier this year, per sources. They will finish the year out with him at Martinsville this weekend, and for the season finale at Phoenix next weekend.
