Michael Jordan has obviously built his basketball legacy by demanding excellence from himself and from everyone around him. But according to rising NASCAR driver Corey Heim, Jordan also knows when to offer encouragement.
Speaking with Complex Sports, Heim revealed that the six-time NBA champion regularly checks in with him through text messages, especially after bad races. These messages reflect just how invested Jordan is in the future of 23XI Racing.
“Jordan, he’s always texting me, whether it’s a win or a loss or an okay day. You know, he’s really good at just being able to… of course he’s gonna congratulate me and stuff, but he’s great at reaching out after a bad day and just saying, ‘Keep your head up. You’re gonna be fine. It’s a long road ahead,’ type deal.'”
“So I would consider that kind of a pep talk, even though it’s over text and everything. I mean, he’s just a very motivational person. But yeah, he’s always just trying to show support, whether it’s a congratulations or a ‘Hey, it’s all good. Keep your head up,’ type deal. And that’s what I really like about the guy.”
“He’s just always a very supportive person. You know, he has no reason to be. He’s got a lot of things going his way, of course, and he’s a busy dude. But he’s always making time to help us out, so it’s really cool of him.”
Even though Jordan is very busy and does not need to take the time, it is quite impressive that he still does, despite everything happening in his life.
Jordan co-owns the NASCAR team alongside veteran driver Denny Hamlin. And the team sees Heim as one of its biggest long-term stars.
Beginning in 2027, Heim will become the full-time driver of the No. 35 Toyota after signing a long-term contract with the team.
The team’s commitment to Heim was revealed during the legal discovery process in NASCAR’s antitrust lawsuit in 2025. Court documents showed that Hamlin reportedly warned Jordan that another organization was ready to sign Heim if they didn’t act quickly. And Jordan’s response was simple and direct, showing how much he believed in the young star.
That decision ultimately led to Heim signing a full-time deal with 23XI Racing, ensuring that one of NASCAR’s brightest young talents would remain with the organization.
Jordan’s involvement with the team extends far beyond writing checks or just showing up at races. Over the past few years, he has frequently attended NASCAR events, celebrated victories with the team and its drivers, publicly defended 23XI Racing during its legal battle with NASCAR, and shown confidence in the future of the organization.
Former NBA star Charles Barkley has said that he’s proud of how seriously Jordan has taken his NASCAR ownership and the effort he has put into building a winning team, especially after Barkley’s previous comments about Jordan’s ownership of the Charlotte Hornets, which led to a 12-year feud that only recently ended.
Now Heim’s comments show another side of Jordan’s leadership. The basketball icon is known for his incredible competitive spirit. But behind the scenes, he’s also serving as a mentor.
Rather than getting on young drivers after every failure, Jordan reminds Heim that success in racing is a marathon, not a sprint.
For a 23-year-old preparing to become one of the faces of 23XI Racing, having arguably the greatest competitor in sports sending personal messages after both victories and defeats is a blessing in disguise.
