Michael Jordan visits Homestead to support Denny Hamlin
HOMESTEAD, Fla. – When you're in the championship hunt, it's a good idea to surround yourself with those who've been there before. So when Michael Jordan wanted to come to Homestead-Miami Speedway to support Denny Hamlin, well, it was an easy answer
"He asked for tickets," Hamlin said after the race. "I told him we could handle that."
Hamlin is part of Jordan's "Jordan Brand" stable, wearing the "Jumpman" logo on his firesuit. Jordan decided to check up on his investment by visiting Homestead with an entourage of friends. "He's a race fan. He is a huge race fan," Hamlin said. "He brought a big group with him, and he's talking about how he's converted all these people into being race fans."
Jordan was present throughout the race, visible in Hamlin's pit box in the minutes before the green flag. Unfortunately, Jordan wasn't able to bring enough of the championship mojo to the FedEx 11 team. Hamlin ran strong but faded late, not unlike the 1998 Utah Jazz, and so Jordan was left consoling Hamlin afterward:
"Wish we could have been celebrating with him," Hamlin said. "I wish I could have had one ring to his six or so, but we'll have to wait another year for that."
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Jay Busbee is a writer for Yahoo Sports. Contact him at jay.busbee@yahoo.com or find him on Twitter.
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