The Denny Hamlin NASCAR controversy erupted into a public feud following the recent settlement between 23XI Racing and NASCAR, with Hamlin calling out SiriusXM NASCAR radio personalities over their critique of the lawsuit. This intense dispute played out both on social media and on air, roping in key NASCAR figures and even Hamlin’s co-owner, NBA legend Michael Jordan, further escalating tensions within the sport’s media landscape.
Hamlin Confronts Channel 90 Over Lawsuit Commentary
Shortly after resolving the legal battle with NASCAR, Denny Hamlin directly addressed criticism from SiriusXM’s NASCAR radio, particularly targeting host Larry McReynolds for his remarks when the lawsuit was first filed. On social media, Hamlin questioned whether McReynolds or any Channel 90 personalities would apologize for their earlier comments, stating,
“Now that the case is settled and the evidence is out, will you or anyone on channel 90 be issuing an apology for what you all said about 23XI/FRM when the lawsuit was filed?”
—Denny Hamlin, Co-owner, 23XI Racing.
This post-settlement clash reignited long-standing friction between Hamlin and Channel 90. Former crew chief and current host McReynolds had previously questioned the attempts by newer teams like 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports to challenge NASCAR norms, suggesting their relative newness did not warrant such bold moves. This view fueled Hamlin’s frustration, prompting him to recall McReynolds’ earlier remarks:
“I believe it was ‘how dare them for trying to come in and change the sport. 23XI hasn’t been around long enough and FRM wasn’t good enough/’ Also how about ‘I don’t know what their problem is, 13 other teams signed it.’ Just to name a few examples.”
—Denny Hamlin, Co-owner, 23XI Racing.
The tension reflects a growing divide between new teams seeking greater influence and established voices defending the status quo. Hamlin’s demand for accountability underscores just how personal and contentious this battle has become within the NASCAR community.
NASCAR Media Defends Its Editorial Independence
Not all insiders sided with Hamlin. Veteran broadcaster Dave Moody leapt to the defense of Larry McReynolds, appearing on The Kenny Wallace Show to argue the value of unwavering opinions in sports media. Moody explained:
“You have to have strong opinions. You have to defend your opinions strongly,”
—Dave Moody, NASCAR Broadcaster. He continued,
“And you can’t really care about whether people agree with you or not, because half of them are going to hate you. Half of them are going to love you. And there’s not a damn thing you’re going to do to change anybody’s mind.”
—Dave Moody, NASCAR Broadcaster.
Moody emphasized that controversial stances are a hallmark of successful talk radio, adding,
“And if you look at talk radio in general…there’s no one that’s successful in that business that doesn’t have unbelievably strong opinions, doesn’t defend those opinions to the death, and quite honestly, doesn’t piss people off on a fairly regular basis,”
—Dave Moody, NASCAR Broadcaster.
This defense highlighted the ongoing debate around the role of bias and opinion in sports broadcasting. Moody argued that strong voices help shape discussion and keep the sport relevant, even if it means upsetting some participants or fans along the way.
Previous Incidents Deepen Hamlin’s Distrust
Hamlin’s complex relationship with Channel 90 dates back more than a year. In the fall of 2024, an on-air interview with 23XI Racing attorney Jeffrey Kessler ended contentiously, leading Hamlin to publicly accuse host Dave Moody and Channel 90 of censorship, stating,
“While censorship is a big topic in today’s media world, Channel 90 might be the poster child,”
—Denny Hamlin, Co-owner, 23XI Racing. He also alleged the interview was altered or removed after his attorney persisted in stating facts:
“after our attorney continued to state fact after fact even though they tried their best to refute, they have since edited/deleted that interview off of their channels because the narrative doesn’t fit their beliefs. If that doesn’t convince you of the bias then nothing will.”
—Denny Hamlin, Co-owner, 23XI Racing.
To date, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio has not responded publicly to Hamlin’s renewed push for an apology. For Hamlin, these experiences only cemented his suspicions about media bias against newer teams challenging NASCAR’s governance.
Michael Jordan Backs Hamlin and Confronts the Press
Michael Jordan’s involvement intensified the public saga. As 23XI Racing’s co-owner, Jordan took the extraordinary step of testifying in a Charlotte courtroom during the NASCAR lawsuit, signaling his deep commitment to the team’s interests beyond sports nostalgia. His testimony addressed the high stakes facing the organization, with over one hundred employees depending on a favorable outcome.
Unlike most public figures, Jordan directly confronted Bob Pockrass, a prominent Fox Sports journalist covering the dispute. Some insiders reveal that Jordan candidly called out Pockrass for coverage that appeared to favor NASCAR. Addressing this moment on the Awful Announcing podcast, Pockrass reflected,
“We have a little bit of an arrogant saying in our business. If you don’t want it printed, don’t let it happen. Right? Emotions are high in this lawsuit,”
—Bob Pockrass, Fox Sports Reporter. He further noted,
“It’s a lot of money for a lot of people. Jordan was risking the future of his team by making this lawsuit. He had over 100 employees counting on him to win the lawsuit.”
—Bob Pockrass, Fox Sports Reporter.
Pockrass acknowledged that it was understandable for Jordan to respond emotionally, given the high stakes. Nevertheless, he maintained his reporting through the legal battle, giving fans insight into the high-pressure, highly personal stakes facing everyone involved—from employees to team leadership.
What the Feud Means for NASCAR and Its Media
The Denny Hamlin NASCAR controversy has highlighted fractures between team leadership, sport insiders, and the media covering high-stakes issues. Hamlin’s vocal criticism and calls for accountability underscore the fierce dynamics between emerging teams like 23XI Racing and established NASCAR voices—both on the track and in the press box. With Michael Jordan stepping in and long-standing broadcasters defending their editorial independence, the debate around influence, transparency, and fairness in NASCAR media is only growing more charged.
As emotions cool and fans look for resolution, a key question remains: Will SiriusXM NASCAR Radio respond, or will this become just one more facet of NASCAR’s evolving battle between tradition and change? The impact of these disputes continues to ripple across the sport, signaling that as new teams redefine the business, confrontations with the press and between insiders may only intensify.
Ya gotta have STRONG opinions in sports talk radio@DGodfatherMoody tells @Kenny_Wallace
Full convo: https://t.co/OUaH0fwKjj pic.twitter.com/YpjzXklisY
— The Kenny Wallace Show (@KWallaceShow) December 22, 2025
Michael Jordan loves trash talk and @bobpockrass was on the receiving end of some MJ trash talk during the NASCAR trial. pic.twitter.com/M0kRB98RTc
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) December 21, 2025
