Denny Hamlin, co-owner of 23XI Racing and a prominent NASCAR driver, voiced strong criticism of NASCAR during court proceedings on Tuesday morning. His testimony, part of the antitrust lawsuit brought by 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports against NASCAR, underscored deep resentment toward the organization and its business practices—putting the Denny Hamlin NASCAR antitrust trial in sharp focus.
As Hamlin faced cross-examination from NASCAR’s antitrust attorney Lawrence Buterman, the atmosphere was fraught, heightened by Hamlin’s pointed remarks. Hamlin repeatedly accused NASCAR of being a monopoly, delivering his claims directly in the courtroom and, by implication, toward the France family, who have long controlled the sport.
Disputes Over Monopolistic Practices and Driver Options
Throughout testimony, Hamlin emphasized his belief that NASCAR operates as a monopoly, especially regarding exclusivity rules that limit team and driver flexibility. In defending his stance, he drew direct contrasts between standard team contracts and NASCAR’s broader business constraints, highlighting a text exchange with Michael Jordan about signing driver Corey Heim as an example. While Buterman attempted to connect team exclusivity clauses to the allegations against NASCAR, Hamlin maintained his distinction.
“You are. I believe it’s different when you have options and drivers have options of what teams they can race for.”
—Denny Hamlin, Owner/Driver
“We are not a monopoly like you,”
—Denny Hamlin, Owner/Driver
“drivers have options of where to take their services.”
—Denny Hamlin, Owner/Driver
Frustration Over Financial Realities within NASCAR
Tensions between Hamlin and NASCAR stretch back to a 2022 conversation with NASCAR CEO Jim France at the Nashville awards banquet. Hamlin described how the meeting left him “very, very discouraged” over divergent financial perspectives. France reportedly told Hamlin the key problem was irresponsible spending by teams, suggesting that operating budgets should be halved. Hamlin disagreed, insisting that such drastic cuts are unfeasible in practice.
“He told me directly the problem in NASCAR is that teams spend too much money,”
—Denny Hamlin, Owner/Driver
“Cutting is not growth. I can’t cut my costs in half. It’s not realistic,”
—Denny Hamlin, Owner/Driver
“We’ve cut this grass so short that we are down to the dirt.”
—Denny Hamlin, Owner/Driver
Hamlin further recalled that even as France told him NASCAR wanted owners like him involved, instead of outside investors, Hamlin felt boxed in financially and emotionally invested, not wanting to become another failed team owner statistic.
Disagreements Over Charter System and Revenue Sharing
During cross-examination, Buterman pointed out that NASCAR offered teams a significant seven-year agreement, which included a seven-year extension but not permanent charters or guarantees of revenue shares from future broadcast deals. Hamlin argued that such terms would prevent 23XI Racing from staying financially viable, especially since NASCAR could benefit from larger future TV contracts while teams would be locked into minimum payments.
“Well, thank you, I appreciate that,”
—Denny Hamlin, Owner/Driver
“You force us to buy all the cars, the components … we don’t own any of that … how ridiculous is that,”
—Denny Hamlin, Owner/Driver
Buterman challenged Hamlin on the size of damages sought—$105 million, far outstripping Hamlin’s original $45 million investment in 23XI. Hamlin insisted that full compensation was warranted given NASCAR’s conduct.
“We want to be made whole for what you did to us,”
—Denny Hamlin, Owner/Driver
Driver Ambassador Program and Control Over Assets
Hamlin’s testimony also focused on NASCAR’s Driver Ambassador Program (DAP), which he argued disadvantages teams. Although drivers are paid extra to promote the sport, Hamlin said it takes from team marketing potential, since NASCAR dictates initiatives. Teams fund 40% of DAP, yet see little return, according to Hamlin. A point of contention was also raised regarding Hamlin’s own $14 million salary at Joe Gibbs Racing, leading to questions about the fairness of payment distribution in the sport.
Public Positivity Versus Private Frustration
NASCAR’s attorney worked in court to depict Hamlin as contradictory, referencing his public praise of the NextGen car—a vehicle introduced to reduce team costs—on media outlets like the Kenny Wallace Show and Netflix’s ‘Full Speed’. Although Hamlin called the car
“a net positive for the sport”
publicly, he cited it in court as a tool for enforcing monopoly-like control due to its single-supplier design.
“Because if I say anything bad, I get a lashing from NASCAR. So, publicly, it’s all sunshine and rainbows,”
—Denny Hamlin, Owner/Driver
“My job is to take the talking points NASCAR says to me and say them publicly. If it’s anything bad, I get a phone call from NASCAR,”
—Denny Hamlin, Owner/Driver
“What I do publicly is put out positivity. That’s my job. You guys give me talking points. I say it to make fans feel happy.”
—Denny Hamlin, Owner/Driver
Internal Team Disputes and Decisions
Further attention was given to internal team disagreements at 23XI, including texts from executives Curtis Polk and Michael Jordan, and comments from Gene Mason. Polk criticized Hamlin as a “terrible businessman” and complained about “reckless” spending, especially related to the $35 million AirSpeed facility. Hamlin explained that differences in vision and strategy are common and that he and Jordan share a drive to win, even if it leads to costly decisions. Ultimately, such disputes were handled internally, according to Hamlin, and did not erode their unity as owners.
“He didn’t think it was a good idea given how (charter) negotiations were going … we didn’t like the length and terms”
—Denny Hamlin, Owner/Driver
“that doesn’t mean he disagreed with the vision and that’s why we did it.”
—Denny Hamlin, Owner/Driver
Questions About Hamlin’s Long-term Commitment
Buterman questioned Hamlin’s long-term dedication, referencing an August 2023 text in which Hamlin expressed a desire to be bought out of his 23XI ownership. Hamlin explained that his comments reflected frustration at the time—particularly around how decisions were made—but added that leadership disagreements are standard in any business. He described these moments as “kicking and screaming” to get his priorities addressed, while reaffirming that problems are ultimately resolved within the team.
Potential Impact of the Trial and What Comes Next
Hamlin’s combative courtroom stance and allegations of monopolistic control have intensified scrutiny on NASCAR’s business model and governance, especially regarding how revenue and control are distributed between the sanctioning body and independent teams like 23XI. The Denny Hamlin NASCAR antitrust trial not only highlights wider industry grievances about fairness and sustainability but may also lead to changes in the sport’s structure, depending on the outcome. With testimony revealing both public personas and private frustrations, the case brings into question NASCAR’s future with its teams, drivers, and core leadership under Jim France at a critical inflection point.
