Amid NASCAR Legal Drama Denny Hamlin Stays Bullish on 23XI Racing’s Progress

By kayodiMay 11, 2025

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Amid NASCAR Legal Drama, Denny Hamlin Stays Bullish on 23XI Racing’s Progress

As 23XI Racing navigates a high-stakes legal battle with NASCAR, co-owner Denny Hamlin remains steadfast in his confidence, balancing courtroom tensions with on-track ambitions. Here’s an in-depth look at the team’s resilience and strategy amid turmoil:

1. Legal Battle: A Fight for Survival

23XI Racing, co-owned by Hamlin and NBA legend Michael Jordan, is embroiled in an antitrust lawsuit against NASCAR over its charter system. The teams allege that NASCAR’s 2025 Charter Agreement enforces monopolistic practices, consolidating power and stifling competitive fairness . A federal appellate panel recently signaled it might overturn an injunction allowing 23XI and Front Row Motorsports to operate as chartered teams during litigation. Losing this status would force them to qualify for races weekly, risking exclusion from events due to limited open spots (four per race) .

Despite the uncertainty, Hamlin remains unfazed: “We’re overall pretty confident in our case…the judges haven’t made any kind of ruling” . NASCAR’s attorneys argue the teams are trying to “have their cake and eat it too” by rejecting the charter system while benefiting from it, but Hamlin and legal counsel Jeffrey Kessler counter that NASCAR’s practices harm competition and could destabilize the sport mid-season .

2. On-Track Momentum: Expansion and Ambition

While battling in court, 23XI Racing is expanding its footprint on the track. The team now fields four cars: Bubba Wallace (No. 23), Tyler Reddick (No. 45), rookie Riley Herbst (No. 35), and part-time driver Corey Heim (No. 67) . This expansion reflects Hamlin’s belief in the team’s depth: “It increases the opportunity to win; that’s another bullet in the chamber” .

Bubba Wallace: Despite missing the 2024 playoffs, Wallace posted career-high stats (6 top fives, 14 top 10s) and aims to reclaim victory at Kansas Speedway, where he last won in 2022 .
Tyler Reddick: The 2024 regular-season champion is a title favorite in 2025, boasting strong intermediate-track performance and maturity as a father .
Riley Herbst: The Xfinity Series standout brings momentum, including a Phoenix win in 2024, and pairs with crew chief Davin Restivo for a rookie campaign .

3. Hamlin’s Leadership: Confidence Amid Chaos

Hamlin’s dual role as driver (for Joe Gibbs Racing) and team owner underscores his commitment to 23XI’s success. He dismisses NASCAR’s legal counterclaims as “laughable,” particularly allegations that co-owner Curtis Polk lacks understanding of the sport: “That’s like saying a chef doesn’t know how to cook” .

His optimism extends to the team’s operational readiness. Despite concerns about resource strain from running four cars, Hamlin emphasizes meticulous planning: “We’ve staffed accordingly…we’re all very aware of the skill set” .

4. Risks and Rewards: The Stakes of 2025

The legal outcome could redefine NASCAR’s structure. If the injunction is overturned:

Sponsorship and Driver Retention: Losing guaranteed race entries might jeopardize sponsorships and driver contracts .
Financial Stability: Charter status ensures revenue sharing; operating as an “open team” could strain budgets .

Yet, 23XI’s bold strategy—expanding while litigating—reflects a long-term vision. Hamlin and Jordan aim to reshape NASCAR’s governance, advocating for fairness even at personal risk .

5. Looking Ahead: A Defining Season

With a trial set for December and mediation attempts stalled, 2025 is pivotal for 23XI Racing. The team’s ability to balance legal battles with competitive performance will test its resilience. As Hamlin put it: “This is all going to be stronger because of it” .

In the meantime, Kansas Speedway’s Ambetter Health 400 serves as a microcosm of their dual fight—on the track for wins, and off it, for a fairer sport.

23XI Racing’s story in 2025 is one of defiance and ambition, proving that even amid turmoil, speed and strategy can keep a team racing forward.

Related Posts:

Formula 1 Driver Could Make His NASCAR Debut After Missing Out 4 Years Ago

**Pietro Fittipaldi Eyes NASCAR Debut with Trackhouse Racing’s Project 91**
Pietro Fittipaldi, the Brazilian-American Haas F1 reserve driver and grandson of two-time Formula 1 champion Emerson Fittipaldi, is closer than ever to realizing his NASCAR dream after a near-miss four years ago. Now 28, Fittipaldi’s journey from open-wheel racing to stock cars has reignited interest, with Trackhouse Racing’s innovative “Project 91” program emerging as a potential gateway for his debut.

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### **Background: A Lifelong Passion for Stock Cars**
Fittipaldi’s roots in NASCAR trace back to his childhood in Miami, where he began karting at age nine. By 2011, he was competing in the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series, earning a Limited Late Models track championship at Hickory Motor Speedway in 2012. Reflecting on this period, he noted, *“I learned so much from car racing through NASCAR”*—a foundation that fueled his versatility across disciplines like IndyCar, endurance racing, and F1.

Despite his success in Europe—including titles in Formula Renault and Formula V8 3.5—Fittipaldi’s heart remained tied to oval racing. In 2021, a collaboration between Dale Coyne Racing and Rick Ware Racing nearly secured him a NASCAR road course seat, but logistical hurdles derailed the plan. Rick Ware, a Cup Series team owner, praised Fittipaldi’s talent, calling him a “natural fit” for NASCAR.

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### **The Trackhouse Racing Opportunity**
Trackhouse Racing’s **Project 91**—a initiative designed to bring global motorsport stars into NASCAR—has become Fittipaldi’s most promising avenue. The program previously hosted F1 legend Kimi Räikkönen and Supercars champion Shane van Gisbergen, who transitioned to full-time NASCAR racing after his Project 91 debut.

In a recent interview, Fittipaldi expressed enthusiasm: *“Of course, it would be amazing. I feel like my roots are NASCAR racing… I’ve always loved oval racing too”*. Trackhouse’s openness to international talent aligns with Fittipaldi’s profile, especially given his dual role as Haas F1’s reserve driver and his current commitments in IMSA and the European Le Mans Series.

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### **Challenges and Logistics**
Balancing F1 duties with a NASCAR debut remains a hurdle. Fittipaldi’s schedule includes reserve drives for Haas, IMSA races with Pratt Miller Motorsports, and ELMS campaigns with Vector Sport. However, Trackhouse’s flexible Project 91 model—which allows for one-off entries—could accommodate his packed calendar.

Another factor is equipment availability. Trackhouse’s No. 91 car is reserved for guest drivers, but the team also fields the No. 88 for van Gisbergen. With van Gisbergen now racing full-time, Fittipaldi could target road courses like Circuit of the Americas or Watkins Glen, where his open-wheel expertise would shine.

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### **Historical Context: F1 Drivers in NASCAR**
Fittipaldi’s potential move follows a small but notable trend of F1 drivers exploring NASCAR. Champions like Jenson Button, Kimi Räikkönen, and Juan Pablo Montoya have all dabbled in stock cars, though none achieved sustained success. Fittipaldi’s unique background—blending NASCAR grassroots experience with F1 technical knowledge—could set him apart.

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### **Conclusion: A Full-Circle Moment**
For Fittipaldi, a NASCAR debut would fulfill a lifelong ambition. As he told *Frontstretch*, *“I was super excited to do it back then… It feels like destiny.”* With Trackhouse’s global vision and his own resilience—honed through a career-threatening 2018 crash at Spa—the stars may finally align for this cross-disciplinary racer.

If successful, Fittipaldi’s journey could further bridge the gap between F1 and NASCAR, inspiring a new generation of drivers to embrace versatility in motorsport.

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