The growth of NASCAR is always on the minds of owners and leaders in the sport. That's a big reason why NASCAR Hall of Famer and Hendrick Motorsports Vice Chairman Jeff Gordon is appreciative that Michael Jordan and Pitbull are now in the sport.
Jordan and Pitbull both became co-owners of teams in the series in the last three years. Their impact has been felt across the sport with both teams quickly becoming contenders, having won multiple races since they started.
Gordon doesn't feel intimidated by Jordan and Pitbull presence—he's happy they are a part of the sport.
Fox Sports' Bob Pockrass sat down with Gordon recently to discuss the impact the new teams and owners have had on the sport and how much pressure they have put on Hendrick Motorsports when it comes to marketing drivers and finding sponsors.
"First of all, I'm not in an attention-seeking position. That was different as a driver—you're trying to attract sponsors or keep your sponsors happy and fans and all those things. We love the brand that we have, and we want to maintain that. But when Michael Jordan and Pitbull and others like that come into the sport, it grows the sport. It makes it better for all of us. I'd like to think we're competitors on the track with other teams. But off the track, I feel like we're all on the same team to build the sport," Gordon said.
When it comes down to it, Hendrick Motorsports doesn't exactly have to compete with Jordan's 23XI Racing and Pitbull's Trackhouse Racing for sponsors, as both of those teams have built their own brand and culture with their drivers.
Having such celebrities as owners probably makes those teams more competitive against each other in terms of marketing and sponsorships and it certainly seems to have helped them rise to the top on track.
Gordon hits the mark. Having Jordan and Pitbull in the sport is only going to benefit everyone in the long run.
