As the NASCAR antitrust trial approaches its conclusion in the Western District of North Carolina, a dispute erupted over a possible sale involving Richard Childress Racing, which was supposed to be shielded by a non-disclosure agreement. The issue came to light when details meant to be confidential were referenced in court, sparking objections from attorneys for both 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports regarding the handling of information related to the Richard Childress Racing NDA breach.
Plaintiffs pressed NASCAR’s legal team for clarity on how they obtained the protected details, demanding transparency after the document surfaced despite the NDA. NASCAR journalist Matt Weaver reported that following the exclusion of the jury, the legal teams for 23XI and Front Row Motorsports requested Judge Kenneth Bell hand over the disputed documents to them for review.
“Mr Childress certainly thought it shouldn’t have been in their possession,” said Judge Bell, directing his comment towards NASCAR.
Tensions climbed as Judge Bell voiced his dissatisfaction with NASCAR’s explanation, highlighting the need for both parties to find common ground on resolving the sensitive disclosure.
“NASCAR attorney Chris Yates said they were trying to impeach Childress for making claims that weren’t accurate,” Weaver further wrote in his post. “Bell says that doesn’t answer the matter at hand and that he wants both parties to work together to come up with a solution on the matter.”
The situation’s gravity prompted Judge Bell to warn that failure to cooperate would force him to intervene and reach a resolution independently. With the outcome pending, there is a possibility that Richard Childress and NASCAR leadership could be summoned again regarding the breach of confidentiality, further complicating the high-stakes trial.
Judge Kenneth Bell Expresses Frustration With Proceedings
The lengthy antitrust battle involving NASCAR, 23XI Racing, and Front Row Motorsports has tested Judge Kenneth D. Bell’s patience, as delays and unexpected motions have slowed progress. Judge Bell’s frustration was evident during the latest court session, where he pressed all involved parties to accelerate the process and move the case forward more efficiently.
This week’s proceedings in North Carolina began behind schedule after Judge Bell had to manage a series of late-filed motions submitted over the preceding weekend, weighing on the trial’s pace and the judge’s ability to maintain momentum.
“He was particularly bothered by objections he received at 2:55 a.m. Monday and then 6:50 a.m. before the morning session,” as reported by the Associated Press, “He took an hour to get through the rulings, and testimony resumed 30 minutes behind schedule.”
Judge Bell continues to urge all counsel and participants to address outstanding disputes and streamline testimony, aiming to bring the contentious legal proceedings to their long-awaited end.
What Comes Next for Richard Childress Racing and NASCAR
As trial sessions near their final days, the resolution of the Richard Childress Racing NDA breach and related antitrust concerns remains uncertain. The court’s final decisions could potentially summon Richard Childress and others for future testimony, extending the legal wrangling if parties fail to agree.
Meanwhile, fans and industry stakeholders are also looking ahead to the return of high-profile racing events. On February 1, 2026, the Cook Out Clash at Winston-Salem’s storied Bowman Gray Stadium will kick off the next season, with coverage on FOX and radio broadcasts via MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.
With the conclusion of the trial imminent, all eyes remain on Judge Kenneth Bell and his next steps regarding the sensitive NDA issue. The outcome is likely to have lasting consequences for Richard Childress Racing, NASCAR, and the governance of information sharing within the sport.
After the jury was dismissed, the 23XI/FRM side wanted a decision from Judge Bell on the Childress tactic from the defense — using documents that seemingly should have been covered by an NDA. They also want the defense to turn that over to Plaintiffs.
Bell: 'Mr Childress…
— Matt Weaver (@MattWeaverRA) December 9, 2025
