Michael Jordan forms Nascar team with Bubba Wallace as driver

The legendary basketball player is fronting a new team alongside three-time Daytona 500 winner Denny Hamlin

Basketball legend Michael Jordan has formed a Nascar team with Bubba Wallace installed as their driver.

The NBA icon will team up with three-time Daytona 500 winner Denny Hamlin to create the single-car Nascar Cup Series team.

Wallace is Nascar's sole full-time black driver, while Jordan is just the second black team owner at its elite level.

Wallace has been at the centre of a campaign for social issues, having successfully campaigned to remove the Confederate flag from races.

A six-time NBA champion with the Chicago Bulls, Jordan outlined his plans to "educate a new audience".

Michael Jordan is venturing into motor racing (AFP)

The 57-year-old also intends to "open more opportunities for black people in racing".

"Historically, Nascar has struggled with diversity and there have been few black owners," Jordan added.

"The timing seemed perfect as Nascar is evolving and embracing social change more and more."