The Daytona race weekend saw teams involved in the recent NASCAR antitrust lawsuit secure top spots, drawing a pointed reaction from Denny Hamlin as he reflected on the long legal battle‘s outcome. Hamlin’s NASCAR lawsuit reaction signaled the intensity and impact of negotiations that shaped both the races and the sport’s future.
Lawsuit Teams Dominate a Landmark Daytona Weekend
Victory celebrations began as Front Row Motorsports captured the Truck Series win with driver Chandler Smith. Richard Childress Racing followed with Austin Hill’s triumph in the season-opening O’Reilly Auto Parts Series event. The headline was completed by Tyler Reddick‘s Daytona 500 victory, clinched for 23XI Racing. Notably, all three winning teams were involved in the antitrust trial that rocked the sport: Front Row Motorsports and 23XI Racing were the plaintiffs, while Richard Childress, representing Richard Childress Racing, testified against NASCAR itself.
As the dust settled, Hamlin was asked directly about the surprising pattern of victories among the lawsuit-linked teams. His response was succinct:
“All we do is win,” Denny Hamlin, 23XI Racing Co-owner.
He elaborated on the effort that went into the teams’ efforts away from the track:
“I don’t know, it’s coincidence, obviously, but you know, I’m really happy for them too. I mean, they’re the ones I had to answer all the questions and stuff from from last year. And we were working vigorously behind the scenes. You know, it’s late nights reading documents and just on and on and on they had no idea what we were doing. They just were the ones that had to come to the racetrack and ask the questions, was it a distraction? But they handled themselves like true professionals and it’s great that you know, they’re rewarded by winning the first race this year.”
– Denny Hamlin, 23XI Racing Co-owner
How Off-Track Battles Shaped Recent NASCAR Victories
The antitrust trial’s conclusion was influenced not just by vocal team owners but also by support from major sponsors, especially after derogatory communications involving Richard Childress surfaced. This alliance among key stakeholders played a critical role in reaching a settlement, which altered the landscape for teams and the governing body alike. Hamlin acknowledged the professionals involved, citing the behind-the-scenes work required to challenge established practices in the sport.
Despite his pivotal role as a plaintiff, Denny Hamlin endured disappointment behind the wheel, finishing outside the top thirty after a late-race collision with his Joe Gibbs Racing teammate Christopher Bell in the Daytona 500. Nonetheless, the wins by Chandler Smith, Austin Hill, and Tyler Reddick highlighted the newfound influence of teams willing to challenge the status quo both on and off the racetrack.
Hamlin Outlines Settlement Impacts and New NASCAR Directions
In the post-race press conference, Hamlin recapped the settlement’s major results. The agreement awarded permanent charters to participating teams, improved profit-sharing models, and granted a stronger voice in NASCAR’s decision-making process. He reflected on how the disputes, culminating in December, forced NASCAR leadership into reexamination:
“I think that December was a wake-up call. I think the conversations since then have been a lot of self-reflection, in my opinion, from NASCAR about, I think, how they would have done things differently had they had the opportunity, but we knew that we needed to stick up for what we believed was right.”
– Denny Hamlin, 23XI Racing Co-owner
Following the settlement, NASCAR introduced several substantial changes, including reinstating the Chase format for playoffs and reverting away from the Charlotte Roval for fall races, opting for the traditional layout. These decisions, along with adjustments for increased horsepower in the short track package, have generally been welcomed by drivers, teams, and fans, suggesting that lessons from the trial are shaping a more inclusive and responsive future direction for the series.
The sweeping success of lawsuit-affiliated teams at Daytona and the visible changes in NASCAR’s approach underscore a transformative period for the sport. As stakeholders like Hamlin, Michael Jordan, Richard Childress, and corporate sponsors play greater roles, the ongoing evolution of NASCAR governance and competitiveness appears poised to continue in the seasons ahead.
Denny Hamlin when asked about all three of the primary lawsuit teams winning Daytona: "All we do is win." 🤷♂️
He then gives a serious answer noting it's a coincidence and that he's happy for the 23XI team members who had to deal with the distractions and are now rewarded https://t.co/t7y9s34c8V pic.twitter.com/r1c4AbdIGT
— Steven Taranto (@STaranto92) February 16, 2026
