The ongoing legal conflict within NASCAR has escalated as leaked messages from Denny Hamlin unveil sharp criticism of CEO Jim France, casting new light on the sport’s leadership just as the debate over charters grabs attention ahead of a key December trial. The Denny Hamlin leaked NASCAR chats specifically target France’s approach to team ownership, drawing intense scrutiny to the organization’s $1.8 billion business structure.
Lawsuit Fallout Heightens Tension in NASCAR’s Leadership
NASCAR is operating under a cloud of controversy as the 23XI-FRM charter lawsuit exposes issues rarely seen by the public. The situation intensified following the recent disclosure of critical messages exchanged by leadership about the SRX Series and Tony Stewart. Attention now centers on Denny Hamlin, co-owner of 23XI and Joe Gibbs Racing veteran, whose private conversations sharply critique Jim France’s stance on the value team owners add to NASCAR.
Hamlin’s own team remains entangled in litigation, following a series of blows in the charter dispute. Despite setbacks, Hamlin and his group continue to fight as the lawsuit is scheduled for trial on December 1. The timing of the Denny Hamlin leaked NASCAR chats adds pressure and drama, amplifying scrutiny over the organization’s distribution of power and money at the highest levels of American stock car racing.
Hamlin Accuses CEO Jim France of Undervaluing Team Owners
Central to Hamlin’s leaked revelations is an accusation that NASCAR CEO Jim France does not appreciate what team owners contribute to the sport. According to Hamlin, France persists in the belief that NASCAR alone drives the sport’s excitement and does not require outside contributions or entertainment value. This viewpoint, Hamlin argues, deprioritizes the current owners and overlooks their unique financial commitments and relationships.
Hamlin claims France instead places major emphasis on the original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), asserting that these entities are essential for keeping teams afloat financially. The chats highlight the complexity of deals that teams like Joe Gibbs Racing, which operates with $15 million in support tied specifically to its engine partnership, must negotiate to maintain competitiveness. According to Hamlin, France ultimately favors external funding to cover team expenses rather than NASCAR itself absorbing the costs.
“Jim doesn’t really value the current owners of our sport and what we bring. He believes that NASCAR itself is the show. He made a point to say that we have to continue to give OEMs tremendous value because they help support the teams. I honestly don’t think he understands that every teams OEM deal is different. I told him our 15M number is WITH OEM engine support. In the end he just wants someone else to pay our bills, NOT NASCAR.”
Denny Hamlin, driver and team co-owner
Drivers and Owners Demand Recognition and Fair Treatment
As NASCAR continues to gain international attention and break attendance records, internal discord over business operations threatens to dampen positive momentum. Respected figures such as Denny Hamlin, alongside fellow driver-owners like Dale Earnhardt Jr., maintain that their involvement is a major factor in the sport’s current popularity and expansion. In conversations referenced by Hamlin, Jim France reportedly articulated his views on the desired character of team owners, favoring racers who prioritize passion over profit.
Hamlin recounted that France wants “racers for owners,” naming himself, Jeff Gordon, Brad Keselowski, and Dale Jr. as fitting his vision for NASCAR’s future leadership. This approach, Hamlin suggests, disregards the business realities of ownership and incentivizes a culture where questioning financial models—especially the current revenue split—is discouraged. The persistent lack of clarity over revenue sharing remains one of NASCAR’s most contentious issues, and Hamlin’s comments reflect the unease it provokes among existing teams.
“He said to me that what he wants is racers for owners. People like me, Jeff Gordon, Brad Keselowski, Dale Jr are the future of ownership. You guys are smart enough to know that that means. It means that he doesn’t want people that care about the bottom line. He wants people that are just happy to be part of the “club”. Needless to say that is the exact opposite of what is right. They just don’t anyone coming in and questioning this ridiculous split of revenue.”
Denny Hamlin, driver and team co-owner
The debate over the direction and governance of America’s leading stock car series has intensified over the last several years. Key figures such as Dale Earnhardt Jr., Jeff Gordon, and Brad Keselowski—like Hamlin, all known for their dual roles as competitors and team leaders—believe that those most invested in NASCAR’s long-term success should have a voice at the negotiating table. They argue that a narrow focus on prestige and tradition, without addressing pressing financial concerns, risks alienating major contributors to the sport’s ongoing vitality.
The Charter System Remains a Flashpoint for Contention
Much of the recent discord can be traced back to the introduction of the charter system, which was intended to provide owners stability but has become a lightning rod for legal and business conflict. Critics argue that instead of ensuring longevity, the system triggered a range of disputes culminating in the current wave of lawsuits and public airing of private grievances.
Hamlin’s transparency—while uncomfortable for those at the top—has sparked important conversations about how teams, OEMs, and central leadership should collaborate to secure NASCAR’s future. Stakeholders are calling for a resolution to the legal battles and a re-examination of revenue distribution, with Hamlin’s statements acting as a catalyst. High-profile owners and drivers insist that, if ignored, the existing tensions could jeopardize not only key organizations like Joe Gibbs Racing and 23XI but also NASCAR’s appeal for new investors and fans.
What Lies Ahead for NASCAR Governance and Its Teams
The leadership crisis spotlighted by the Denny Hamlin leaked NASCAR chats arrives at a pivotal moment in the organization’s history, as the upcoming trial could reshape policy and business relationships for years to come. NASCAR’s ability to emerge from this turmoil depends on its willingness to address questions raised by prominent owners, negotiate meaningful reform, and maintain the confidence of drivers, teams, OEMs, and supporters alike. Jim France, as CEO, now faces mounting calls for more inclusive, sustainable strategies as the franchise stands poised between further discord and a possible new era of cooperation.
As the December trial approaches, all eyes remain on the central figures of this power struggle—Denny Hamlin, Jim France, and the collective of team owners and drivers calling for their share of the sport’s $1.8 billion pie. The outcome will not only determine the immediate future of key organizations like JGR and 23XI but also set the standard for how NASCAR values those who make the show possible.
An email from Denny Hamlin in 2022 to a few other team executives after a conversation with Jim France: pic.twitter.com/ZfGrx07WzY
— Kelly Crandall (@KellyCrandall) November 22, 2025
