Last year, NBA legend Michael Jordan teamed up NASCAR driver Denny Hamlin to form a new team, 23XI. Bubba Wallace was chosen to drive for the team, and he couldn't believe his own eyes when he finally met Jordan several days before Sunday's Daytona 500.

The 27-year-old shared the immense value that Jordan brings to the table as the owner of the team with the only Black driver in NASCAR's top series:

“You know, talking to (Jordan), it’s just providing the exposure,” Wallace said amid the Daytona 500 festivities, via David Aldridge of The Athletic. “The exposure to opportunities for minorities to be in the sport – on this side of the fence, or the other side of the fence. That’s really the biggest thing. Literally, everybody knows who Michael Jordan is. ‘Oh, he’s a part of NASCAR? I might tune in.’ ‘Oh, he’s the owner (of the team) of the only Black guy in Cup? [Pantomimes a phone call] Hey, you hear MJ’s in NASCAR?’ They’re calling their buddies. Snowball effect. That’s kind of how I think it works. Because with everything I did last year (to) bring in a new influx of fans, with MJ coming into the sport, it brings in a new influx of fans. We just have to keep providing the exposure to opportunity.”

Way before this year's Daytona 500, Wallace became known for being vocal in his response to the killings of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and Rayshard Brooks last year. However, it was the shooting incident involving Ahmaud Arbery that resonated with him the most.

Considering stock car racing is a predominantly white sport, Wallace knew he had to use his platform in order for his voice to be heard. As the only African-American driver last year, he overhauled his car with Richard Petty Motorsports at Martinsville Speedway in an effort to portray his support for the Black Lives Matter Movement:

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On Sunday, Wallace finally made his debut with his new team at the Daytona 500. After encountering several mishaps during the pre-race proceedings, Wallace was forced to start at the rear end of the pack. He somehow managed to catch up midway through the race and even grabbed the lead in Lap 129. However, Wallace was caught in the pile of cars during a chaotic last lap, which caused him to settle in the 17th spot instead.

Despite not getting the start he wanted at the Daytona 500, Bubba Wallace is aware that there is nowhere to go but up for his new team. The involvement of a personality like Michael Jordan will definitely help stock car racing to become a more diverse sport and open new opportunities for African-American drivers in the years to come.