JOLIET, Ill. – In perhaps a first, NBA Hall of Famer Michael Jordan says somebody is better than him: NASCAR driver Denny Hamlin.
But to clarify, Jordan isn’t talking about Hamlin’s basketball prowess.
The winner of Sunday’s NASCAR Chase for the Sprint Cup opening race at Chicagoland Speedway tore the ACL in his right knee less than two weeks ago while playing hoops.
But when Jordan learned Hamlin was in NASCAR’s playoffs, it was a joust between the ultra-competitive pals.
“(Jordan) texted me Wednesday, said he was in Monte Carlo, and I popped in his head like I always do, which I thought was a little odd,” Hamlin quipped.
“And then he says, ‘I know you’re headed into the playoffs and I just want you to know I’ve never admitted to anybody that anyone is better than me at anything, my whole life.
“But if you win this race this weekend, I will admit that you’re a better driver than I am.’ I thought, ‘Wow, that’d be awesome.’”
Jordan’s tout caught Hamlin off-guard, but now he’s ready to have Jordan live up to his word.
Said Hamlin, “I’m going to text him and say, ‘Admit it, that I am better than you and I want everyone to know.’”
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