Two teams, 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports, have sparked a battle against NASCAR by skipping the deadline to sign the charter agreement and then escalating the conflict with an antitrust lawsuit. Leading the charge is 23XI Racing co-owner Michael Jordan. The lawsuit accuses NASCAR of anti-competitive practices and unlawful monopolization. As the situation develops, rumors circulated that 23XI Racing might leave the sport, but co-owner Denny Hamlin quickly dismissed that notion.
Jordan addressed the lawsuit, stating, “I’ve always been a fierce competitor, and that drive fuels 23XI Racing every week. I love the sport and the passion of our fans, but the way NASCAR operates today is unfair to teams, drivers, sponsors, and fans. Today’s action shows that I’m willing to fight for a competitive market where everyone wins.” Jordan’s commitment to the sport remains strong, and concerns about newer teams in NASCAR are growing, especially considering that out of the 19 teams that signed the 2016 charter, only eight remain. Meanwhile, the France family has significantly benefited, particularly from broadcast deals totaling $23.1 billion over the past 24 years.
Hamlin avoided specifics, but highlighted Jordan’s love for NASCAR and the substantial investments 23XI Racing has made, including building a new headquarters, Airspeed. 
Despite the legal battle, Hamlin made it clear that 23XI Racing has no plans to back out. They are focused on continuing in the sport and are pushing for fairer negotiations in the charter deal. As for the upcoming race at Talladega, Hamlin’s attention is on his performance, as he needs points to stay in playoff contention. He currently stands 5th in the standings, thanks to solid finishes in recent races at Bristol and Kansas.
When asked about his strategy for Talladega, Hamlin explained that his approach wouldn’t change based on qualifying position. He plans to race aggressively and accept whatever results come his way, acknowledging that crashes are part of Super Speedway racing. Hamlin reflected on past experiences at Atlanta but noted that Talladega is a more manageable track, and his strategy will be to push hard throughout the race.
With a lot at stake for both the lawsuit and his playoff position, Hamlin is preparing to give it his all at Talladega, while fans and teams alike watch to see how the legal fight with NASCAR unfolds.
