Denny Hamlin Reacts to Michael Jordan’s Viral Kiss Second After NASCAR Race
Some things about Michael Jordan simply never change.
The man who once trash-talked opponents into submission on the basketball court has found a new arena for his relentless competitive streak — and his latest target happens to be his own business partner.
After the final lap at Kansas Speedway on Sunday, April 19, cameras captured a moment that perfectly encapsulated the Jordan mystique.
As 23XI Racing driver Tyler Reddick celebrated yet another victory, Jordan was spotted walking toward Denny Hamlin — his co-owner and, on race day, his rival. What happened next was pure Jordan theater.
He wrapped his hand around Hamlin’s neck and planted a kiss on the side of his head before walking away. No words necessary. The message was clear to anyone who has ever watched Jordan operate: I got you.
The Setup That Makes It All So Michael Jordan
To understand why this moment was so delicious for Jordan, you have to understand the dynamic.
Hamlin and Jordan jointly own 23XI Racing, a team launched ahead of the 2021 NASCAR Cup Series season. Three full-time Cup drivers compete for the organization: Reddick, Bubba Wallace and Riley Herbst.
Here’s where it gets interesting. Despite co-owning the team, Hamlin continues to drive for rival team Joe Gibbs Racing and plans to race full-time against his own cars through the conclusion of the following season.
That means on any given Sunday, Hamlin is both Jordan’s partner and his competition.
For a man who famously turned everything — from card games to golf rounds — into a blood feud, this arrangement is practically a gift.
A Race That Played Right Into Michael Jordan’s Hands
At Kansas Speedway, Hamlin was dominant. Driving the No. 11, he led for 131 laps — more than any other driver. With two laps to go, Hamlin was positioned to win. Then a late caution triggered an overtime restart that disrupted his lead.
Hamlin ultimately crossed the finish line in fourth place. Meanwhile, Reddick — Jordan and Hamlin’s driver — overtook Kyle Larson on the final lap to claim victory.
The win would have been Hamlin’s fifth career triumph at the Kansas track. Instead, Reddick earned his fifth win of the 2026 season.
Jordan couldn’t have scripted it better himself.
Michael Jordan Pokes Fun at Denny Hamlin
During an interview with FOX Sports after the race, Jordan laid bare the mindset that defined six NBA championships and now fuels his NASCAR ownership.
“Look, I’m racing against Denny. So in essence, I really wanted to beat him because I know we’re going to talk a lot of trash a little bit later.”
That single quote tells you everything. Jordan doesn’t see himself as a passive team owner watching from the suite. He’s competing. Hamlin isn’t just his business partner — he’s the guy Jordan wants to beat, personally.
Denny Hamlin Reveals the Trash Talk That Led to the Moment
On the April 20 episode of his Actions Detrimental podcast, Hamlin pulled back the curtain on the full scope of their rivalry. He acknowledged that the sting of losing was still fresh when Jordan approached him.
“I mean, I don’t expect him to understand where I’m at in that moment, right,” Hamlin said. “Every other Reddick win, I’ve been split, happy, sad, happy, sad and it just kind of depends on how my day went.”
“This one, I was full a hundred percent in my way on this one, you know what I mean. Like the emotions were all on Team 11 on that one for sure,” he added.
But Hamlin also admitted he’d set the stage for Jordan’s glee by talking trash before the race even started.
“I told him the same thing I said on this podcast last week, that if something weird doesn’t happen, Kansas is a guaranteed win,” Hamlin explained.
“He’s very happy because of how much [expletive] I talk to him, actually. I know it’s hard to believe, but I talk a lot of trash to him,” he continued. “He probably wants to beat me as much as anyone. … When it’s head-to-head, he wants to see the 23XI drivers beat me because I talk that trash.”
The Competitive Spirit Lives On
The basketball court, the golf course, a NASCAR track — the venue changes, but the instinct never does.
Jordan’s kiss at Kansas Speedway was just the latest proof that his need to compete, to win and to let everyone know about it remains as fierce as ever.
The friendly banter won’t be stopping anytime soon. For fans who grew up watching Jordan turn rivalry into an art form, that’s exactly the point.