Michael Jordan was once again involved in another bizarre incident as he celebrated his NASCAR team’s latest victory on Sunday.
Jordan’s 23XI Racing driver, Tyler Reddick, continued his stunning form as he roared by Kyle Larson on the final lap of overtime to win at Kansas Speedway on Sunday.
In doing so, he became the fourth driver to win five of the first nine races in NASCAR’s top series in a season.
But in the same race Denny Hamlin, who co-owns 23XI Racing along with NBA icon Jordan, had to watch from fourth place as Reddick reached the victory lane yet again.
As Hamlin got out of his car, he looked visibly frustrated after missing out on his own podium place.
Hamlin was instantly mobbed by Jordan, who bizarrely celebrated their team’s victory by wrapping his hand around Hamlin’s throat in a choking pose and kissing him on the head.
Michael Jordan bizarrely grabbed 23XI Racing co-owner Denny Hamlin by the throat Sunday
While Jordan did that, Hamlin looked stoney faced and less than impressed with his partner’s actions. Fans quickly took to social media to question what Jordan was doing.
One posted: ‘It’s pretty demeaning how he grabs him by the throat and pats him on the head like a good little boy.’
A second asked: ‘Why is he holding his neck? He doesn’t look happy.’
‘That was the weirdest exchange ever,’ another claimed.
A fourth commented: ‘This is dumb. Denny is a competitor. It would be weird if he wasn’t disappointed.’
‘Why did he grab his neck like that?’ another confused onlooker commented.
Although Hamlin is a co-owner of 23XI Racing, he races for a different team – JGR – so it’s not surprising he was miserable after losing to Jordan and Reddick on the track.
Speaking after the race, Jordan said: ‘I mean. Look, I am racing against Denny. So, I really wanted to beat him. Because I know we’re going to talk a lot of trash a little bit later, but it was a good race!’
The incident comes less than two months after social media was left confused by Jordan’s interaction with Reddick’s six-year-old son, Beau, after they won the Daytona 500.
Jordan was caught on camera appearing to grab at the young child’s lower back and bottom area as they celebrated on the podium.
Jordan was criticized for the way he celebrated the team’s Daytona win with Reddick’s son
Some critics questioned his actions, but Jordan’s defenders claimed he was trying to remove ice that had fallen down Beau’s shirt during the wild celebrations.
Reddick spoke out about the incident at the Daytona 500 days later during an appearance on Stephen A. Smith’s Sirius XM radio show.
‘From my perspective, I’ve gotten to know Michael and his family very well over the years I’ve been here with 23XI, and I don’t see what other people see when it comes to this,’ Reddick said.
‘For me, it’s a huge moment; this is the biggest moment of my career. It’s a huge moment for my family and for his family.
‘And I just put that off to the side and think about the look on (Michael Jordan’s wife) Yvette’s face and the whole family and his whole group when they got to victory lane too, and just how happy everybody was celebrating together. So, that’s where I’m at with it.’
Jordan, Hamlin and Reddick have had plenty to celebrate so far this NASCAR season and claimed another victory on Sunday.
Reddick came charging down the backstretch on the final lap and he pulled alongside Larson as they went through the final corners. The No. 45 edged ahead as the checkered flag flew, and Jordan began to pump his fist in the pits in celebration.
The last driver to win five of the first nine Cup Series races was Dale Earnhardt in 1987.
Hamlin and Jordan celebrated with Reddick eventually after his victory at Kansas Speedway
Jordan’s team has been dominating NASCAR so far this season after his landmark legal victory
‘This kid (Reddick) is on fire. I don’t know what to say. I don’t think I can cool him down,’ Jordan said.
‘When you win it’s always fun, and right now it’s fun for everybody at 23XI. Me being here and being able to see all the wins, I am so happy for the team.’
All four of the 23XI cars finished in the top 15 on a banner day for the team.
‘Got to deliver for the boss man,’ Reddick said of Jordan. ‘If he’s going to come hang out with us, we have to get him dubs.’
Hamlin was happy Reddick won again but it came at his expense and he was decidedly unhappy about that.
Asked of his frustration level, Hamlin replied: ‘Obviously it’s not winning. It’s Cody Ware, six laps down, wrecking. I don’t know. Add it up.’
