Denny Hamlin, a veteran Cup Series driver, has sharply criticized ESPN and journalist Ryan McGee for their recent take on the Denny Hamlin NASCAR lawsuit involving 23XI Racing, which he co-owns with Michael Jordan. The legal battle, set to begin on December 1, is drawing increased attention as Hamlin alleges ESPN is distorting the narrative around the case.
Hamlin Calls Out ESPN Coverage and NASCAR Communications
Tensions flared when Hamlin took issue with ESPN’s article titled ‘Why Jordan wants to tear up stock car racing,’ asserting that the piece was engineered to influence public opinion just before the court proceedings open. Hamlin suggested that Mike Forde, the Managing Director of racing communications at NASCAR, had a hand in shaping the story.
“Please give credit to [Mike Forde] for helping you write this propaganda piece that they want pushed to switch the narrative. Continuous lies about our stance, NASCARs motives for its actions, and continued message from the sanctioning body that everything is fine. Our fans know better,”
Denny Hamlin wrote on X. — Denny Hamlin, Cup Series Driver/23XI Co-owner
In Ryan McGee’s article, Hamlin was depicted as deeply involved in all aspects of NASCAR, being both a driver and a team owner, and maintaining influence as a podcast host and member of NASCAR’s panel on postseason changes. McGee stated:
“[Denny] Hamlin is the perfect representation of it all, living in a neighborhood surrounded by NASCAR colleagues as he drives for one team, owns another and also hosts a wildly popular podcast discussing the sport. Even while he has been in the process of suing the sport, he has also been a member of NASCAR’s exploratory panel for potential changes to its postseason championship format.”
— Ryan McGee, ESPN Senior Writer
Hamlin disputes how his intentions and the team’s motivation were portrayed, maintaining that their legal action is rooted in the pursuit of fairness rather than a direct attack against the sport or NASCAR as an organization.
Details from the NASCAR Antitrust Lawsuit
The lawsuit, brought by 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports (FRM), alleges that NASCAR’s business practices stifle competition. The suit claims NASCAR’s domination of track ownership, restrictive supplier policies, and limitations on team autonomy make it nearly impossible for independent teams to compete on equal footing.
The ongoing litigation has already delivered wins for 23XI, co-owned by Michael Jordan and Denny Hamlin, and FRM, led by Bob Jenkins. In October, a judge dismissed NASCAR’s counterclaim and denied their accusation that 23XI and FRM colluded to secure better charter system terms.
Further, the court determined that the market at issue is specifically “premier stock-car racing,” undermining NASCAR’s suggestion that dissatisfied teams could simply compete in other racing series like IndyCar.
Financial Revelations and Broader Impact on Teams
This legal battle has brought forth internal documents, emails, and financial records from NASCAR, offering a rare glimpse into the industry’s profits and team struggles. Unsealed financials revealed that in 2024, NASCAR reported net profits of around $102.6 million off $1.7 billion in revenue. Despite these lucrative numbers, many Cup Series teams reportedly ended the year with financial losses.
The documents highlighted deeper disparities, including that Formula 1 drivers and teams earn approximately twice as much as their top NASCAR counterparts. The case thus underscores the ongoing struggle for financial balance and competitive fairness across motorsports.
What Lies Ahead for NASCAR and Its Stakeholders
As the Denny Hamlin NASCAR lawsuit unfolds, the sport, its teams, and its governing body are under unprecedented scrutiny. Fans, stakeholders, and industry insiders now await the court’s decisions, which could significantly impact not just the business structure of NASCAR but also the broader culture and financial landscape of American motorsports.
Please give credit to @mforde for helping you write this propaganda piece that they want pushed to switch the narrative. Continuous lies about our stance, NASCARs motives for its actions, and continued message from the sanctioning body that everything is fine. Our fans know…
— Denny Hamlin (@dennyhamlin) November 28, 2025
