Hendrick Racing Faces Turbulence: Courtroom Showdown Looms as 23XI and Front Row Seek to Block Key Witness
In an explosive twist ahead of the highly anticipated NASCAR antitrust trial, 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports have launched a bold motion to prevent Rick Hendrick from taking the witness stand. This dramatic legal maneuver comes on the heels of a court ruling that mandates both Hendrick and fellow racing mogul Roger Penske to submit to depositions—an order that has ignited a fierce battle over scheduling and fairness.
Originally slated for November 18, 2025, at Hendrick Automotive Group’s headquarters in Charlotte, the deposition has hit a snag due to Hendrick’s “unavailability,” forcing the plaintiffs to scramble for alternative arrangements. Hendrick’s legal team contends that their client cannot be deposed until the first week of the trial, which is set to kick off on December 1, 2025. However, 23XI and Front Row are pushing back, arguing that having Hendrick testify during trial would severely jeopardize their case. “This late-game maneuver by NASCAR is nothing short of a strategic power play,” they argue, claiming that the timing would disrupt their carefully laid trial strategy.
Judge Kenneth D. Bell has been vocal in the courtroom, branding NASCAR’s actions as “absurd” and insisting that both Hendrick and Penske must answer questions without restrictions. The accusations of “sandbagging”—a term used to describe the strategic delay of crucial witness testimonies—echo through the halls of the courtroom, as both racing teams accuse NASCAR of unfair tactics. With NASCAR Chairman Jim France personally requesting Hendrick and Penske as witnesses, the stakes could not be higher.
NASCAR, however, is not backing down. Their legal representatives have countered the motion by asserting that Hendrick can still provide his deposition during the trial, even suggesting specific non-trial days on December 6 and 7, when they claim the plaintiffs can secure his testimony without disrupting the proceedings. “This isn’t just about Rick Hendrick; it’s about ensuring that both sides have the opportunity to present their cases fully,” NASCAR’s counsel insisted. They stress that the deposition would only take around 2.5 hours, a mere blip in the grand scheme of the trial.
As tensions rise, NASCAR’s response also highlights what they deem hypocrisy from the plaintiffs, pointing out that 23XI and Front Row recently issued their own surprise subpoena for an accountant who wasn’t on any witness lists. This tit-for-tat has only intensified the courtroom drama, with each side accusing the other of unfair practices.
In this high-stakes legal battle, the outcome remains uncertain, but one thing is clear: the pressure is mounting. Will the court allow Hendrick’s testimony to proceed, or will the plaintiffs succeed in blocking a key player from the witness stand? As the clock ticks down to trial, all eyes will be on this unfolding saga that could reshape the future of NASCAR racing and its regulatory framework.








