Overview
- TIME published its inaugural TIME100 Sports list on Tuesday and included Michael Jordan and Denny Hamlin together in the Innovators category and Carson Hocevar in the Leaders category.
- TIME credited Jordan and Hamlin with building 23XI Racing and reshaping NASCAR ownership through a legal fight with NASCAR and moves that helped expand charter stability for smaller teams.
- The magazine pointed to Hocevar’s breakthrough Cup Series victory earlier this season and described him as a rising face of the sport because of his talent, confidence and outspoken personality.
- Hocevar shared the TIME recognition on his Instagram story with Chief Keef’s “Laughin’ to the Bank,” a post that reinforced his provocative, media-first image and intensified debate over his aggressive on-track style.
- Reporters and commentators say the three names now represent different forces in NASCAR—global star power, veteran owner-driver influence, and a generational, media-driven future—which could shape sponsorship, fan attention and team strategies going forward.