Denny Hamlin reignited debate in the motorsports world ahead of the upcoming antitrust case, openly criticizing NASCAR leadership and certain media coverage, especially in relation to his team 23XI Racing. This renewed pushback places the Denny Hamlin NASCAR antitrust trial at the center of controversy as fans and industry figures prepare for potentially far-reaching courtroom battles in Charlotte.
Hamlin Takes Issue With NASCAR and Media Narratives
The tension began when ESPN senior writer Ryan McGee previewed the lawsuit, sparking a sharp reaction from Hamlin. McGee’s social media post referenced the story, which spotlighted ownership figures such as Michael Jordan—who, along with Hamlin and Curtis Polk, co-owns 23XI Racing—and their dispute with NASCAR over the sport’s direction.
Hamlin publicly rebuked not only NASCAR but also the media coverage, suggesting that certain communications officials were influencing how events were reported. He accused Mike Forde, NASCAR’s senior vice president of communications, of helping to shape narratives. The discord escalated as Hamlin argued that the article’s framing favored NASCAR and misled the community.
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, NASCAR’s motives for its actions, and a continued message from the sanctioning body that everything is fine. Our fans know better
? Denny Hamlin, Team Co-Owner and Driver
Tried to hit it down the middle, thus all the ‘(Fill in the blank) believes…’ and ‘(Fill in the blank) argues…’ Sorry you disagree, but thanks for reading. See you Monday
? Ryan McGee, ESPN Senior Writer
Our fans have been brainwashed with their talking points for decades. Narratives pushed by the media that are intimidated by them. Lies are over starting Monday morning. It’s time for the truth. It’s time for a change,
? Denny Hamlin, Team Co-Owner and Driver
This social media exchange heightened interest in the antitrust proceedings, drawing more scrutiny to NASCAR’s business structure from fans and stakeholders.
Background on the Antitrust Case Against NASCAR
The courtroom battle, initiated by both 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports, centers on accusations that NASCAR violated Section 2 of the Sherman Act by tightly controlling top-level stock car racing. Plaintiffs argue that NASCAR’s control extends over charter contracts, race participation approvals, 15 major racetracks through Speedway Motorsports, and a massive $7.7 billion media rights agreement running from 2025 to 2031. They contend these mechanisms stifle competition and serve the interests of the France family, long-time overseers of NASCAR.
Charters, introduced in 2016, guarantee select teams a starting spot in every race, but they come with stipulations barring teams from racing elsewhere without NASCAR’s green light. Hamlin and other plaintiffs believe such constraints slow innovation and keep new organizations from entering the sport freely.
Recent judicial developments have not favored NASCAR. On November 14, 2025, U.S. District Judge Frank D. Whitney determined NASCAR holds monopoly power and refused to dismiss those claims. Meanwhile, Judge Kenneth Bell struck down NASCAR’s own counterclaims, in which the organization accused teams of contract breaches. These legal setbacks have intensified scrutiny of NASCAR’s methods and raised the stakes for the upcoming trial.
Revelations From Discovery and What Lies Ahead in Court
As the discovery process progressed, internal text messages from top NASCAR executives like Steve Phelps and Steve O’Donnell surfaced. Some messages revealed criticism of team owners, including Richard Childress, and included disparaging remarks about fans, further fueling discord and distrust among stakeholders.
The trial opens in the U.S. District Court in Charlotte on December 1, 2025, and is slated to last around 10 days. Legal teams on both sides have compiled more than 1,000 exhibits, which range from email correspondences and financial documents to expert analyses on the state of stock car racing.
If 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports succeed, the outcome could have a seismic impact. Potential financial damages exceed $1 billion, an amount that could triple under antitrust regulations. The lawsuit is not limited to monetary compensation—plaintiffs seek reforms to the charter system, aiming for more favorable revenue splits and the removal of restrictive clauses that they argue have stifled growth. Conversely, NASCAR maintains that its charter model supports the stability of the sport and is mounting a vigorous defense.
This trial could stretch to higher courts, depending on appeals, and its decisions may reshape NASCAR for years, influencing everything from business deals to who has the power to direct the sport’s future. For figures like Denny Hamlin and associates Michael Jordan and Curtis Polk, the next steps in court will be crucial as they challenge long-standing authority within 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
Tried to hit it down the middle, thus all the "(Fill in the blank) believes…" and "(Fill in the blank) argues…" Sorry you disgaree, but thanks for reading. See you Monday.
— Ryan McGee (@ESPNMcGee) November 28, 2025
Our fans have been brainwashed with their talking points for decades. Narratives pushed by media who are intimidated by them.
Lies are over starting Monday morning.
It’s time for the truth. It’s time for change.— Denny Hamlin (@dennyhamlin) November 28, 2025
