'I argued with him,' Stephen A. Smith reveals conversations with Michael Jordan upon his controversial NASCAR athlete take

Stephen A. Smith dropped a bombshell on his SiriusXM show this week, revealing that none other than Michael Jordan called him up to push back on his fiery take that NASCAR drivers aren’t real athletes.

Smith didn’t budge an inch, doubling down on his controversial stance even after going toe-to-toe with the NBA legend and 23XI Racing boss.

This isn’t just another hot take from the loudest voice in sports media. It’s lit a fuse across the racing world, pulling in drivers, team owners, and fans who see it as everything wrong with outsiders dismissing their grueling sport. Smith’s comments have sparked debates about what counts as athleticism, especially in a sport where mental toughness and physical endurance meet at 200 mph.

According to Smith on his Mad Dog Sports Radio program, the basketball icon reached out personally to “correct” him. “You know who wanted to correct me about the NASCAR thing? Michael Jordan. Michael Jordan. I argued with him!” Smith shared, emphasizing he was simply being honest about his feelings.

1. The Original Controversy That Started It All

It all kicked off when a caller on Smith’s show suggested that seven-time NASCAR Cup champion Richard Petty deserved GOAT consideration alongside legends like LeBron James. Smith shut that down quickly, saying NASCAR drivers and even golfers “don’t count” as athletes. He quipped that pretty much anyone’s grandma or grandpa could hop in a car and drive. The backlash was swift and loud. Three-time Cup champion Joey Logano accused Smith of stirring the pot just to stay relevant. Front Row Motorsports and veteran broadcaster Mike Joy jumped in, too. Even Denny Hamlin, Jordan’s co-owner at 23XI Racing, offered a measured response explaining the intense physical demands drivers face. Smith clapped back at Logano with his signature flair, basically telling him to “Google me” and rattling off his decades in the industry. But the real headline-grabber came when he admitted arguing with MJ himself. Imagine a phone call of two larger-than-life personalities going at it over whether turning left for hours in a sauna-like cockpit qualifies as athletic.

2. Why Michael Jordan Got Involved

Jordan’s involvement makes perfect sense when you remember he’s poured serious money and passion into NASCAR through 23XI Racing. The team has been a breakout success lately, with Tyler Reddick racking up wins. For MJ, this isn’t abstract; it’s his investment and his drivers being called out. Smith painted the exchange as respectful but firm. He wasn’t backing down because, in his view, that’s what makes sports talk great—having the guts to hold an unpopular opinion. “That’s how I feel! I’m being honest,” he said. “That’s all, it’s not a crime. That’s what makes radio and sports talk,” Hamlin added nuance, noting that while drivers might not look like basketball stars, their bodies are specifically trained to withstand the unique stresses of racing. Chase Briscoe even took a lighthearted jab, posting a video of himself dominating an arcade basketball game. Smith, a basketball guy through and through, sees athletes as those relying on raw physical prowess in traditional team or individual sports. Golfers and drivers fall into a different category for him. It’s a take that resonates with some traditionalists but frustrates those in niche sports who fight for respect. The timing adds extra spice. NASCAR is pushing hard to broaden its appeal, and comments like Smith’s put the sport in the national spotlight.

3. Reactions Pouring In From All Sides

The NASCAR community has been vocal. Logano wasn’t shocked, saying Smith knows how to generate buzz. Hamlin played it cool on his podcast, asking, “Who cares?” before breaking down the physical side. Briscoe’s arcade clip brought some laughs into the mix. Outside the track, sports fans are split. Some defend Smith for sparking honest discussion; others call it ignorant gatekeeping. Social media has been ablaze with memes, defenses, and calls for Smith to actually ride along in a race car for a few laps. Even casual observers are weighing in. One side argues that athleticism is about elite skill in any demanding physical activity. The other sticks to more conventional definitions centered on strength, speed, and agility. Smith loves this chaos. He’s thrived on it for years, pushing buttons, defending bold positions, and keeping audiences hooked. Whether you call it entertainment or hot air, it works. His show ratings probably got a nice bump from this one. Smith has shown zero signs of retreating, and the NASCAR world isn’t about to let outsiders define their sport without pushback. There could be more calls, more on-track shoutouts, or even a fun crossover where Smith gets a taste of what drivers actually do. Jordan and 23XI keep rolling with strong performances this season, proving their investment is paying off on the track. For Smith, it’s another chapter in a career built on saying what others won’t.

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