Not a Text Thread, But a Legal Cage Match—with Zingers
What Really Happened
Michael Jordan’s 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports filed an antitrust lawsuit against NASCAR in October 2024, calling the charter system restrictive and unfair, even labeling NASCAR “monopolistic bullies.” NASCAR struck back in March 2025 with a bold countersuit—calling the teams and their co-owner Curtis Polk an “illegal cartel,” accusing them of disrupting broadcast deals and orchestrating boycotts. NASCAR is pushing for triple damages and threatens to revoke the teams’ guaranteed starting spots if they continue challenging the charter setup. A jury trial is set for December 1, 2025. Jordan’s stance? He’s not taking this personally—he’s taking it personally. His spokesperson put it bluntly: “If you are coming after Curtis, you are coming after [me].” NASCAR lawyer Christopher Yates fired back with some sharp words of his own, saying Polk “doesn’t know NASCAR.” Denny Hamlin wasn’t having any of it: “That’s like saying a chef doesn’t know how to cook… He’s built Michael Jordan’s empire for the last 30 years.”
So although NASCAR didn’t release a “funny text chain,” it did deliver a verbal smackdown—packed with sarcasm, legal threat, and plenty of courtroom-flavored spice.
Headlines at a Glance
TL;DR: The “Text” That Would’ve Been
If there had been a cheeky exchange published today, it would likely go something like this:
MJ: “Curtis, they’re calling us a cartel… jeopardizing our charters.”
Polk: “Bring it on—I’ve navigated tougher trades. And hey, nothing wrong with a little legal sandbox wrestling.”
NASCAR (lawyer voice): “Cartel? More like bad behavior. Triple damages, anyone?”
Hamlin (background): “Let’s go win on the track, not in the courts… but the track’s ready if this gets spicy.”
