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Denny Hamlin’s ‘Unbannable’ Jordans: A Bold Tribute to Michael Jordan or NASCAR’s Next Game-Changer?

Harry Bright by Harry Bright
February 4, 2025
in Motorsports
Reading Time: 4 mins read
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Denny Hamlin’s ‘Unbannable’ Jordans: A Bold Tribute to Michael Jordan or NASCAR’s Next Game-Changer?

Oct 27, 2024; Homestead, Florida, USA; 23XI owner Michael Jordan celebrates after his driver NASCAR Cup Series driver Tyler Reddick (not pictured) won the Straight Talk Wireless 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-Imagn Images

The intersection of basketball royalty and NASCAR rebellion just got a whole lot more interesting. Denny Hamlin, co-owner of 23XI Racing and one of NASCAR’s most polarizing figures, turned heads at Bowman Gray Stadium with a pair of racing boots styled after the infamous black-and-red Air Jordans—the very shoes that Michael Jordan wore in defiance of the NBA’s strict dress code in the 1980s.

But was Hamlin’s choice of footwear merely an homage to his legendary co-owner, or was there a deeper, more defiant message aimed at NASCAR itself?

The Air Jordan Legacy: From NBA Bans to NASCAR Rebellion

Back in the 1980s, the NBA ruled with an iron fist when it came to dress codes. Players were required to wear sneakers that were at least 51% white to align with uniformity regulations. But Michael Jordan, ever the trendsetter, debuted the now-iconic black-and-red Air Jordans that were anything but compliant. The league responded swiftly, banning the shoes outright and threatening fines for every game he wore them.

That, of course, only added to their mystique. The ban didn’t kill the shoes—it elevated them. Nike capitalized, Jordan soared, and the Air Jordan brand became an unstoppable cultural force.

Now, decades later, Hamlin has brought that same rebellious spirit to NASCAR. At the Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium, he laced up a pair of Jordan 1 racing boots in the same outlawed color scheme, sharing a photo with the caption: “The sneaker that changed everything.”

Unlike Jordan, Hamlin wasn’t slapped with any bans—NASCAR doesn’t have a uniform code for shoes. But there was more than just footwear making a statement that night.

The ‘Unbannable’ Message: A Shot at NASCAR?

Hamlin’s shoes weren’t the only Jordan-inspired rebellion on display. His 23XI Racing teammate, Tyler Reddick, rolled up with a car wrapped in a striking ‘UNBANNABLE’ paint scheme—a direct reference to the infamous NBA ban. But what if this was more than just a nod to history?

It just so happens that 23XI Racing is currently in a legal battle with NASCAR itself. The team, along with Front Row Motorsports, filed a lawsuit against NASCAR in 2024 for alleged monopolistic practices. Their refusal to sign the 2025 charter agreement nearly cost them their charter status, threatening their very existence in the Cup Series.

But then came a twist: Judge Kenneth Bell granted 23XI a preliminary injunction, ensuring their place on the grid for 2025.

Now, with black tape covering the Jordan Brand logo on Reddick’s car, some fans are speculating that it was a subtle jab at NASCAR—symbolizing how the league tried (and failed) to “ban” 23XI from the sport.

Will Hamlin’s ‘Unbannable’ Shoes Shake Up NASCAR Like Air Jordans Did in the NBA?

Hamlin’s Jordan 1 racing boots have already sent waves through the NASCAR community, with fans and fellow drivers scrambling to get their hands on a pair. NASCAR Truck Series driver Rajah Caruth was one of the first to react, exclaiming: “Need me a pair.”

Another fan pleaded, “Praying for the day we get Jordan racing boots at retail.”

Others took it a step further, demanding a full Denny Hamlin sneaker line: “When’s the Denny 1 dropping?!!”

While there’s no official Jordan x Hamlin shoe on the market yet, the demand is there—and given Hamlin’s polarizing status in the sport, such a release could be an instant sellout. After all, NASCAR’s so-called “villain” has always had a loyal following despite his controversies.

Can the ‘Unbannable’ Shoes Finally Bring Hamlin a Championship?

Beyond the cultural impact, some of Hamlin’s supporters are hoping that these shoes are a good luck charm for the veteran driver. Despite an impressive 54 career Cup Series wins, Hamlin has never won a championship—an omission that has defined his otherwise stellar career.

Some fans believe 2025 could finally be the year, with one commenting: “Those look like some winning shoes.”

Others, however, focused on a different aspect: “His custom Jordans must be worth a fortune!”

A Statement That Can’t Be Ignored

Whether intentional or not, Hamlin’s footwear and 23XI Racing’s ‘UNBANNABLE’ theme have added a layer of intrigue to the ongoing tensions between the team and NASCAR. Just like Jordan’s original Air Jordans became a symbol of defiance in the NBA, Hamlin’s shoes might just represent something bigger than fashion in stock car racing.

The real question now: Is this the start of a revolution in NASCAR, or just a stylish tribute to a basketball legend? Either way, Michael Jordan’s influence on the sport has never been more visible.

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