The Rick Hendrick NASCAR charter lawsuit has become more contentious, as Hendrick and Roger Penske have now agreed to provide depositions under strict conditions, injecting new uncertainty into the legal battle. With the focus of the sport shifting intensely to antitrust proceedings after Kyle Larson’s championship win at the end of the 2025 season, both team owners’ involvement signals a major escalation in a case that continues to generate concern and tension across NASCAR.
Background of the Charter Lawsuit and Recent Developments
After the conclusion of the 2025 racing season, the attention of the NASCAR world moved sharply towards the charter lawsuit, which has seen rapid developments and increasing stakes. Two high-profile organizations, 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports (FRM), are at the center of the legal dispute. When their charters were revoked, both teams were forced to participate as open entries, losing crucial status within the competition.
Many in the industry initially suggested that 23XI and FRM should resolve the matter outside the courtroom, yet both organizations persisted in their legal pursuit, refusing to settle. Their perseverance appears to be paying off, as most recent judicial decisions have favored their position, shifting the momentum of the trial and placing NASCAR on the defensive.
Hendrick and Penske’s Conditional Agreement to Testify
Rick Hendrick and Roger Penske, two of the most recognized names in stock car racing, have now become directly involved after attorneys representing 23XI and FRM called for their deposition as part of ongoing court proceedings. Although both were originally listed as witnesses for the December jury trial, the push for early depositions adds increased gravity to the situation. Judge Kenneth Bell’s approval for their depositions intensified attention on their possible testimonies and broader influence over the trajectory of the lawsuit.
Industry reporter Jenna Fryer recently shared that Hendrick and Penske have agreed to be deposed, but only if the court establishes clear limitations on the scope of questioning. Otherwise, they have requested that their depositions be called off completely. This move indicates their intent to avoid disclosing sensitive or detailed information regarding the sport’s internal structures.
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Veteran journalist Bob Pockrass has also shed light on the pair’s approach, noting that both Hendrick and Penske have formally stated their intention to remain neutral throughout the proceedings. They are seeking to avoid alignment with any side involved in the dispute, a decision shaped by their longstanding relationships with various parties across NASCAR.
The two owners have shared concerns that the lawsuit’s unresolved status and escalating nature could cause broader harm to the sport. Despite their belief that a settlement should have been reached far earlier, circumstances now prevent them from disengaging or avoiding involvement in the matter.
Main Factors Driving the Tension
Central to the legal argument is the controversial charter agreement, which has become a matter of public record as the trial has advanced. Judge Kenneth Bell has explicitly identified the market at stake as premier stock car racing, a move that points to NASCAR’s effective control and its potential monopolistic standing within the motorsports industry.
This legal definition has increased scrutiny on NASCAR’s operational practices, intensifying the pressure on all stakeholders—especially those, like Hendrick and Penske, with deep-rooted influence across the sport.
What Comes Next in the Ongoing Dispute
With the upcoming depositions of Rick Hendrick and Roger Penske looming, the legal drama stands at a pivotal juncture. The willingness of these experienced team owners to answer only limited questions reflects the seriousness of the dispute and the level of concern within the community. Their testimonies could mark another turning point for both the litigation and the broader NASCAR landscape.
As the trial heads toward its December jury date, industry figures including Judge Kenneth Bell, Bob Pockrass, and reporter Jenna Fryer will remain key observers and commentators, watching how legal strategies, organizational pressures, and public scrutiny shape the future of stock car racing and the sport’s competitive framework.
Rick Hendrick and Roger Penske have filed a request with the court to either not be deposed in the 23XI/FRM suit or for “guardrails” to be put in place limiting their testimony to declarations filed.
— Jenna Fryer (@JennaFryer) November 7, 2025
Rick Hendrick and Roger Penske are fighting having to give depositions in the 23XI/FRM-NASCAR lawsuit or want it to be very limited in topics. pic.twitter.com/ovJfGkH6DX
— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) November 7, 2025
