Brad Daugherty, the towering 7-foot center who once patrolled the paint for the Cleveland Cavaliers, has long been celebrated as one of the most skilled big men in NBA history. A five-time All-Star, his graceful footwork and offensive touch helped make Cleveland a force in the late 1980s and early 1990s. But what many fans still don’t fully realize is that Daugherty’s passion extended beyond basketball — into the roaring world of stock car racing.
While Michael Jordan’s entry into NASCAR ownership made headlines worldwide in 2020, it was actually Daugherty who had been waving the racing flag for years. In fact, insiders often say that Jordan turned to Daugherty for advice before officially forming 23XI Racing. As the story goes, it wasn’t His Airness who first schooled Daugherty on NASCAR — it was the other way around.
Daugherty’s love for racing started long before his NBA stardom. Growing up in Black Mountain, North Carolina, he was surrounded by the culture of the racetrack. As a kid, Saturday nights weren’t just about basketball practice; they were about the thundering engines at the local speedways. The sights, the sounds, and the community spirit of NASCAR carved a place in his heart that even the bright lights of the NBA couldn’t erase.
When injuries forced him into an early retirement at just 28, Daugherty found himself searching for a second chapter. Instead of coaching or broadcasting full-time in basketball, he leaned into his first love. NASCAR wasn’t just a hobby for him; it was a way of life. He quickly became a respected commentator on ESPN’s NASCAR coverage, bringing both credibility and a fresh perspective to the broadcast booth.
Fans often wondered: why would a former NBA All-Star immerse himself in racing? The answer is simple. For Daugherty, basketball was a career, but racing was his soul. His deep knowledge of cars, pit crews, and racing strategy stunned even lifelong fans of the sport. When he spoke about NASCAR, it wasn’t from the outside looking in — it was from the inside out.
In 2007, he took his passion one step further by co-owning JTG Daugherty Racing. This wasn’t a vanity project; it was a serious, competitive NASCAR Cup Series team that would go on to find success on the track. Daugherty became the first Black principal owner to win the Daytona 500 in 2023, cementing his place in NASCAR history. That victory wasn’t just a milestone for him — it was a cultural breakthrough for the sport.
And that’s where Michael Jordan comes in. Long before Jordan’s 23XI Racing was born, he was known to seek Daugherty’s guidance on the ins and outs of ownership. The irony? For once, it was Jordan, the ultimate competitor, who was learning from someone else. Daugherty schooled him on sponsorship models, pit crew dynamics, and the grueling grind of NASCAR’s long season.
Fans often like to debate who was better on the basketball court, but when it comes to NASCAR, there’s no contest. Brad Daugherty is the professor, and Michael Jordan is the student. That dynamic has sparked good-natured fun among sports fans, especially those who never expected two North Carolina basketball icons to make their mark on stock car racing.
Daugherty himself has said that the crossover between basketball and NASCAR isn’t as strange as it seems. Both require teamwork, precision, endurance, and the ability to perform under intense pressure. Just as a center has to protect the paint and set the tone, a NASCAR crew chief has to orchestrate pit stops and strategy. It’s all about timing and execution.
For fans, Brad’s story is one of reinvention. Not many athletes manage to leave a lasting impact in two entirely different worlds. From All-Star center to pioneering NASCAR owner, Daugherty has done just that. He didn’t just join NASCAR for headlines — he joined because it was home.
And perhaps that’s the real lesson he taught Michael Jordan. Greatness isn’t just about conquering one arena; it’s about finding passion, pursuing it relentlessly, and leaving a legacy wherever your heart leads you.
