The ongoing Denny Hamlin NASCAR antitrust lawsuit dispute intensified this week, as NASCAR commissioner Steve Phelps questioned the motives of 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports, after the teams filed legal action challenging NASCAR’s charter system. With the court battle over stock car racing charters reaching a critical stage in North Carolina, Judge Ken Bell urged both sides, including 23XI co-owner Michael Jordan, to reach a resolution before trial.
Legal Standoff Deepens Between NASCAR and Team Owners
Since rejecting NASCAR’s final Charter Agreement in September 2024, 23XI Racing, co-owned by Michael Jordan and Denny Hamlin, along with Front Row Motorsports, have fought against what they describe as NASCAR’s attempt to control and profit from premier stock car racing at the expense of teams. Their lawsuit alleges a violation of antitrust laws, aimed at providing teams with more financial security and competitive equity. NASCAR CEO Jim France is also central to the dispute, with the filing specifically accusing the organization of an
“unlawful monopolization of premier stock car racing in order to enrich themselves at the expense of the premier stock car racing teams.”
—23XI and FRM legal filing
Steve Phelps, NASCAR commissioner, voiced his confusion and frustration regarding the lawsuit’s true basis. He highlighted that most teams, and the majority of “charter holders” representing 32 teams, signed onto the deal. According to Phelps, the main request from teams was increased funding, something NASCAR’s new $1.1 billion-per-year television contract, which runs through 2031, aimed to provide by boosting team payouts nearly 50 percent.
Despite these changes, the legal standoff has yet to cool. Phelps continues to question the rationale behind the litigation.
“I don’t know what’s gonna happen,”
Phelps told John Ourand of Puck.
“The lawsuit is supposed to be an antitrust lawsuit. I don’t believe it’s an antitrust lawsuit. I think it’s just a contractual dispute. We had 13 of the 15 charter holders representing 32 teams sign. On balance, if there are winners and losers to the charter extension, I think the teams won. The number one thing the teams wanted was more money, which is exactly what we gave to them.”
—Steve Phelps, NASCAR Commissioner
Reiterating NASCAR’s willingness to resolve matters outside the courtroom, Phelps said,
“We’re either gonna settle or we’re gonna go to court. Do I think we’d be willing to entertain a settlement? Yeah. To date, they have not come with anything. I don’t even know what their demands are. I don’t even know what they’re suing for.”
—Steve Phelps, NASCAR Commissioner
Key Developments in the Courtroom
On Monday, 23XI and Front Row Motorsports escalated their efforts to preserve their charter status by seeking a new restraining order and a preliminary injunction against NASCAR. This move came after the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit denied the teams’ request for a rehearing; a three-judge panel had previously overturned an earlier injunction that temporarily protected the teams’ charter rights during the lawsuit.
According to legal filings, the Court of Appeals vacated the preliminary injunction on June 5, leaving 23XI and Front Row Motorsports at risk of losing their charters by Wednesday. The teams pressed for NASCAR to provide a response by Tuesday, while Judge Ken Bell, overseeing the case from North Carolina’s Western District, required NASCAR to reply by Wednesday at 5 p.m. ET. Bell has consistently urged both parties to explore settlement options before the scheduled trial date on December 1.
The emotional toll and financial burden of the dispute have not gone unnoticed.
“It’s hard to picture a winner if this goes to the flag — in this case,”
Bell said June 18.
“It scares me to death to think about what all this is costing.”
—Judge Ken Bell, U.S. District Court
Implications and What Lies Ahead
This legal confrontation threatens to reshape NASCAR’s team and charter landscape, involving key industry figures such as Phelps, Jim France, Michael Jordan, and Denny Hamlin. The ongoing Denny Hamlin NASCAR antitrust lawsuit dispute highlights the growing conflict over revenue sharing in major sports, as television deals and franchise rights reach record levels.
If a settlement is not reached by December, Judge Ken Bell will preside over a high-stakes trial that could alter how NASCAR operates with its charter system. With significant questions about the cost and outcome of this dispute, pressure is mounting for all sides to seek resolution and protect the future stability of Cup Series teams.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. How did Denny Hamlin get so rich?
A. Denny Hamlin began racing in the Cup Series full-time in 2006 with Joe Gibbs Racing. Since then, he has had an impressive career. He has won 51 Cup Series races and has claimed victory at the Daytona 500 three times (in 2016, 2019, and 2020). Throughout his career, he has also earned millions of dollars.
Q. Did Denny Hamlin and Jordan Fish get married?
A. Denny Hamlin is set to marry Jordan Fish. As a child, Jordan loved dancing, which eventually led her to work for the NBA’s Charlotte Bobcats. These days, the team is called the Charlotte Hornets. She met Hamlin while performing at one of the Bobcats’ games.
Q. How did Denny Hamlin get rich?
A. Denny Hamlin’s net worth is about $65 million. This wealth comes from his successful racing career, endorsement deals, team ownership, and smart real estate investments. Whether he’s driving or managing a team, Hamlin consistently makes wise decisions in his career and business endeavors.
Q. Are Michael Jordan and Denny Hamlin friends?
A. Michael Jordan and Denny Hamlin have shared a friendship for many years.
