A confidential email revealed during a legal dispute between NASCAR and 23XI Racing/Front Row Motorsports criticizes Denny Hamlin’s decision-making as a co-owner and raises concerns about his financial strategies. The leaked correspondence, now a focal point in the ongoing trial, has led to widespread conversation about Denny Hamlin business criticism within the racing industry and among stakeholders.
Internal Communications Surface Amid Lawsuit
The attention on 23XI Racing and its internal dynamics has intensified after court-released documents shed new light on team operations. The email, exchanged in March 2024 and presented as evidence, was sent by Michael Jordan’s Chief Financial Officer and forms part of a growing body of private messages made public due to the case between NASCAR, 23XI Racing, and Front Row Motorsports. These revelations have attracted notice from racing fans and observers as they reveal not just competitive tactics, but also interpersonal and financial tensions within high-profile teams.
The trial, which has already made headlines for colorful exchanges between key figures, entered a new phase when these exhibits were released following a preliminary injunction hearing. Messages that had previously been confined to boardrooms or private devices are now under public and legal scrutiny, amplifying the stakes for everyone involved.
Bob Pockrass, a respected motorsports journalist, highlighted the significance of these disclosures on social media and summarized reactions, noting that friction between financial leaders and those steering racing performance is common across professional motorsports organizations.
From exhibits released, found this somewhat intriguing … from MJ’s CFO email analyzing 23XI in March 2024 … Some might consider it a knock on Denny but my guess is it’s not rare for a race team to have financial people at odds with those who lead racing/competition dept. pic.twitter.com/8q56Lf5LLm— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) November 10, 2025
— Bob Pockrass, Reporter
Hamlin’s Approach to Racing and Team Management Questioned
The contested email puts Denny Hamlin, an experienced NASCAR driver and racing team co-owner, under the microscope. In the message, the CFO evaluates Hamlin’s influence both as a business figure and as a strategic leader. While Hamlin’s on-track achievements and efforts to elevate 23XI Racing are recognized, the CFO is blunt in his appraisal of Hamlin’s depth of understanding regarding race strategy, suggesting he depends too heavily on inputs from Chris Gabehart, his former crew chief.
does not know as much as he thinks he does about race strategy and the other nuts and bolts of racing.
— CFO, Michael Jordan’s organization
This criticism is particularly pointed considering that professional drivers often build deep partnerships with their crew chiefs; however, in this instance, the CFO frames Hamlin’s reliance as excessive, possibly implying a lack of independent judgment.
Damning Assessment of Business Practice
The central controversy in the leaked email revolves around Hamlin’s fiscal philosophy. The CFO asserts that Hamlin operates with the belief that increased spending will automatically lead to better results—an approach criticized as shortsighted.
He is a terrible businessman. He ascribes to the dumb theory that if spend more money it will tannate into wins and speed. This is only true to a small extent. [sic]
— CFO, Michael Jordan’s organization
The memo continues by highlighting reports from within 23XI Racing that Hamlin instructs the crew to consider money “no object” when making operational or racing decisions. The CFO warns that this attitude creates long-term risk, as it discourages prudent financial oversight and complicates decision-making for those charged with running the company responsibly.
Another layer of the dispute involves Curtis Polk, a longtime business partner to Michael Jordan and a co-owner at 23XI. The CFO claims that when Polk or any senior financial officer pushes back against Hamlin’s ideas, Hamlin reacts by accusing them of undervaluing him. However, the message clarifies this accusation is misplaced, and the disagreements reflect differing priorities rather than lack of respect or appreciation for Hamlin’s contributions to the team.
The Context Behind the Fierce Words
The courtroom spectacle has ignited debates throughout the sport, with observers noting parallels to past controversies involving key NASCAR figures. Text messages from NASCAR President Steve O’Donnell, including an expletive-laden critique of draft charter agreements, illustrate the combative and unfiltered communication style that has come to define the current legal battle. Joe Gibbs Racing, widely seen as a 23XI ally, was also referenced in the messages, further stoking curiosity and speculation about team alliances and rifts.
Despite the harsh tone of the CFO’s email, industry experts quote the need for objective financial scrutiny at the executive level of racing operations. Racing, by nature a costly and sponsor-driven enterprise, often brings business and sports leadership into conflict over priorities and resource allocation. In this climate, internal disagreements—now made public—reveal tensions that might otherwise remain behind closed doors.
Trial Developments and Looking Forward
The dispute between NASCAR, 23XI Racing, and Front Row Motorsports is set to continue, with the next major phase of the trial expected on December 1. The litigation has already exposed numerous internal communications, and it is widely anticipated that yet more confidential or provocative messages involving figures such as Michael Jordan, Denny Hamlin, Curtis Polk, and Chris Gabehart will come to light before the case concludes.
The ongoing legal and public fallout from these disclosures is likely to have a lasting effect on how racing organizations handle sensitive communications and manage internal disagreements. In the interim, scrutiny of team management, business practices, and the complex relationships among NASCAR’s biggest names—including Michael Jordan, Denny Hamlin, crew chiefs, and business partners—will remain intense as the motorsports world awaits further revelations.
This stack of evidence is not only reshaping the legal battle, but also changing how business skills and strategic decisions are judged among racing’s most prominent teams and personalities.
From exhibits released, found this somewhat intriguing … from MJ's CFO email analyzing 23XI in March 2024 … Some might consider it a knock on Denny but my guess is it's not rare for a race team to have financial people at odds with those who lead racing/competition dept. pic.twitter.com/8q56Lf5LLm
— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) November 10, 2025
