The Richard Childress NASCAR antitrust trial has reached a tense juncture, as frustration mounts over stalled proceedings in the Western District of North Carolina. With prominent figures like Richard Childress and NASCAR chairman Jim France still waiting to testify, Judge Kenneth D. Bell has expressed growing impatience with the repetitive pace as Day 6 comes to an end.
Trial Schedule Falters Amid Lengthy Testimony and Procedural Disputes
Early momentum in the NASCAR antitrust trial has slowed, causing concern in Judge Bell’s courtroom. Despite a witness list stacked with noteworthy names—such as NASCAR President Steve Phelps, financial experts, and soon Richard Childress—the proceedings have become bogged down. Jeffrey Kessler, who leads the legal team for the plaintiffs, indicated that Steve Phelps would take the stand after an analysis of the financial underpinnings at the heart of the dispute.
However, after days of expert testimony and legal maneuvers, core witnesses have yet to appear. Judge Bell has implored attorneys on both sides to avoid redundancy and condense their questioning, but progress remains sluggish. Filings submitted overnight left the judge visibly unsatisfied on Monday, leading to a delayed start of nearly thirty minutes while procedural issues were addressed before the scheduled testimonies.
In response, Judge Bell extended daily courtroom hours, now running from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., signaling his waning tolerance for drawn-out questioning. The judge’s frustration came to a head as lawyers repeatedly circled established points instead of advancing the discussion. This pattern was exemplified during Lawrence Buterman’s cross-examination of Professor Snyder, which appeared no closer to completion as the day wore on.
Failed Revenue Negotiations Under Scrutiny by Race Team Alliance
The slow pace persisted into the morning session until the conclusion of Jonathan Marshall’s testimony. As executive director of the Race Team Alliance, Marshall focused on unsuccessful negotiations between NASCAR and Cup Series teams attempting to secure a more viable revenue model. He described a prolonged period of simmering tensions, stating that, in the final negotiation stages, a supposed “best and final” offer was presented to team owners.
Ownership groups helmed by Joe Gibbs, Rick Hendrick, and Roger Penske reportedly expressed readiness to accept the agreement, believing further discussion would yield no better terms. Marshall noted that once these leaders committed, most remaining teams felt obligated to follow suit, effectively limiting their bargaining power.
According to Marshall, longstanding relationships between teams and the France family did little to alleviate growing dissatisfaction during talks. Instead, many in the paddock felt pressured into accepting a deal determined primarily by NASCAR, diminishing the spirit of collaboration that had characterized previous business dealings.
Key Testimonies From Childress and France Set to Shape Trial’s Next Phase
With Kessler soon set to question Steve Phelps, followed by Childress and Jim France, the courtroom is bracing for more direct accounts of the contentious negotiations. Insights from these influential figures may help clarify who was responsible for the uncompromising stances that derailed talks and ultimately set the antitrust battle in motion.
Whether testimony from Childress and France will inject much-needed momentum into the proceedings or extend Judge Bell’s exasperation remains uncertain. With the focus keyword—Richard Childress NASCAR antitrust trial—now at the center of national motorsports debate, the outcome is poised to shape future industry negotiations and relationships within the sport.
#NASCOURT Day 6 is complete. We are in recess until 8:30 am tomorrow. Judge Bell has shifted the schedule for each day to be 8:30 am to 5:30 pm. He seems frustrated that the line of questioning on witnesses continues to be repetitive, and it did not let up with Buterman cross…
— Toby Christie (@Toby_Christie) December 8, 2025
Jonathan Marshall of RTA testimony has ended. 23XI/FRM have five more witnesses in this order: expert economist professor Snyder, accountant who took team financial info, Steve Phelps, Richard Childress and Jim France. Might get to Phelps today but possibly not.
— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) December 8, 2025
