In a dramatic turn of events in NASCAR’s ongoing charter wars, 23XI Racing, co-owned by Denny Hamlin and Michael Jordan, along with Front Row Motorsports (FRM), has filed a federal anti-trust lawsuit against NASCAR. The legal battle, which stems from the organizations’ refusal to sign the 2025-2031 charter agreement, has stirred controversy in the racing community, with mixed reactions pouring in.
Amid the backlash, Hamlin has now stepped forward to clarify the true intentions behind the lawsuit. The 23XI co-owner insisted that the lawsuit is not a threat to the sport’s status quo or an attempt to undermine jobs within NASCAR, but rather an effort to inspire positive changes that would benefit everyone in the stock car racing world.
“The narrative that 23XI and FRM are threatening the status quo and people’s jobs is incorrect,” Hamlin said. “We want to promote positive change in the sport that benefits everyone, not just a few.”
NASCAR presented all its teams with a “take it or leave it” charter deal before the Bristol playoff race, with 13 teams signing on. 23XI and FRM, however, argued that they were not given a fair opportunity to negotiate, leading to their decision to file the lawsuit. The move has sparked debate, with some fans and insiders questioning whether the teams are shaking up the sport unnecessarily.
Hamlin dismissed such concerns, emphasizing that 23XI Racing’s primary goal is to help create a better future for the sport, ensuring fairness and transparency in the agreements between NASCAR and its teams.
“This isn’t something we just decided overnight,” Hamlin explained. “It’s been in the works for a while, and it actually gives me some relief to focus more on racing and my No. 11 car because the legal stuff is now out there and being handled by the right people.”
With the legal proceedings now underway, Hamlin said he can better focus on his performance as a driver. The distraction of managing 23XI’s business affairs is lessened, allowing him to shift his attention to his own championship bid with Joe Gibbs Racing. As the NASCAR Cup Series moves into the final six races of the season, Hamlin is determined to perform at his best and chase down his first NASCAR title.
The lawsuit is likely to be a drawn-out affair, and while the outcome remains uncertain, one thing is clear: 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports are aiming to shake up the NASCAR establishment in ways that could have long-term effects on the business side of the sport.
The question now is whether Hamlin can rise above the legal drama and secure his elusive NASCAR title as the season draws to a close.
