Denny Hamlin talks NASCAR lawsuit developments, back-to-back DNFs
On May 9 the Associated Press reported a three-judge federal appellate panel indicated it might overturn an injunction that allows 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports to race as chartered teams while the lawsuit is pending. NBA legend Michael Jordan and Hamlin are co-owners of 23XI Racing.
Advertisement
When asked for his interpretation of the development with the appellate judges, Hamlin said, "It's so hard to say. Obviously, we had an injunction that allowed us to remain a chartered team while the lawsuit is going on. Judges had a lot of questions, which typically, appeals judges do ask a lot of questions. Until they make a ruling it's just to hard to speculate."
HOW TO BUY CRACKER BARREL 400 TICKETS
Hamlin, 44, did not attend the hearing, but said he stays informed about the lawsuit while competing in his 20th NASCAR Cup Season.
"I do my best, I'm updated on it; I talk to the attorneys daily, weekly about the updates," Hamlin said. "We're obviously going through the discovery process right now. We've got a trial set for December, which we're very much looking forward to."
Advertisement
The two teams filed the lawsuit against the governing race body on Oct. 2, 2024 in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of North Carolina. It accuses NASCAR of pressuring teams into long-term charter agreements. 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports were the only charter-holding teams to reject the new agreement.
A reversal of the injunction would take away the starting spots 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports have guaranteed. Without a charter status the teams would have to compete as open entries without being assured of race-day positions.
DENNY HAMLIN'S CAR BLOWS UP AT TEXAS: Denny Hamlin's car blows up early in NASCAR Texas race
DENNY HAMLIN WINS AT DARLINGTON: NASCAR Darlington results: Denny Hamlin is winner, plus full leaderboard
Advertisement
"I think that everything is fine on my end because we've got a team of people working on this," Hamlin said. "It allows me to focus on my job, which is doing the best I can to drive the 11 car and run 23XI Racing. That's what I've been doing and it's worked well. Obviously, the results show that."
Hamlin wins back-to-back on the track
The positive results were certainly there early in the season. For the first time since 2012 Hamlin won back-to-back races (Martinsville and Darlington) and followed that up with a second-place finish at Bristol. He also had a second-place finish at Phoenix.
And he will be racing at Nashville Superspeedway on June 1 in the Cracker Barrel 400.
Advertisement
However, Hamlin got blocked by Ross Chastain at Talladega three weeks ago and finished 21st. It only got worse after that when Hamlin's Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota burst into flames near the end of Stage 1 at Texas and then a clutch issue ended his day at Kansas on May 11.
"I only can control what I can control and when you have two consecutive DNFs that puts a hamper on that," Hamlin said. "I can only live week-to-week and focus on winning the next race, which is seven days down the line."
Reach Mike Organ at 615-259-8021 or on X @MikeOrganWriter.
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: NASCAR All-Star race: Denny Hamlin talks lawsuit, two straight DNFs
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
Cracker Barrel CEO Opens Up About Big Changes Coming to the Chain
Cracker Barrel CEO Opens Up About Big Changes Coming to the Chain originally appeared on Parade. Change can sometimes feel unsettling, especially at a restaurant known for its antique decor and rustic charm. But as with anything, mixing things up can be good, even if it doesn't feel that way at first. For Cracker Barrel, the decision to introduce a more modern aesthetic has left customers divided. Yet, as CEO Julie Felss Masino shared in a Good Morning America interview, the new look is catching on with customers. Catch the clip in this video from August 19: Recently, Cracker Barrel began renovating its stores with brighter paint, updated light fixtures, and fewer antiques on the walls. While initial reactions were mixed, Masino reports the changes are now getting rave CEO told Michael Strahan on GMA, "The feedback has been overwhelmingly positive." She reveals that just last week, at a manager's meeting in Orlando, Florida, she was asked by multiple attendees when their stores would be scheduled for the remodel, as the 40 stores that have already been updated are earning high praise from both fans and employees. Cracker Barrel was founded in 1969 by Dan Evins in Lebanon, Tennessee. By 1981, the chain went public to fund further growth. Today, it operates nearly 660 locations across 44 states. Sometimes, we resist changing the spaces we know and love. But once we get used to the idea, it's easier to embrace. After all, if the food and gift shop continue to offer everything we adore, there's nothing wrong with a little modern twist on a place that often feels like home. Cracker Barrel CEO Opens Up About Big Changes Coming to the Chain first appeared on Parade on Aug 19, 2025 This story was originally reported by Parade on Aug 19, 2025, where it first appeared.
Washington Post
4 hours ago
- Washington Post
NASCAR says Michael Jordan antitrust suit is to force permanent charter no other team has
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — NASCAR argued in its latest court filing that Michael Jordan is suing the stock car series to earn a permanent charter that no other teams possess, and that neither 23XI Racing nor Front Row Motorsports has suffered any harm by racing as 'open' entries. NASCAR also indicated in its 34-page response filed late Monday that it has buyers interested in the six charters that have been set aside as a federal judge decides if the two teams can have them back for the remaining 11 races of this season. NASCAR is prepared to immediately begin the process of allocating the charters elsewhere.
Newsweek
5 hours ago
- Newsweek
JRM and Trackhouse Clash over Connor Zilisch's Return After Xfinity Fall
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. JR Motorsports has confirmed that its NASCAR Xfinity Series driver Connor Zilisch is ready to race at this weekend's Wawa 250 at the Daytona International Speedway. However, Trackhouse Racing, the team that fields Zilisch in a Cup Series car, admitted that his condition is still being monitored on a day-to-day basis, and there is no hurry to put him back in the car until he is completely fit to race. After winning the Xfinity race at Watkins Glen, Zilisch climbed on top of his car to celebrate the milestone. However, he immediately fell head first and broke his collarbone. He underwent surgery to expedite the healing process so he could get back to racing as soon as possible. The 19-year-old driver leads the Xfinity Series championship, and the upcoming race weekend could add to his chances of winning the championship. JRM confirmed that Zilisch will be driving the No. 88 JR Motorsports Chevrolet this weekend. Zilisch was to race in the Cup Series with Trackhouse the day after his fall, but the injury led to his absence. Now, Trackhouse owner Justin Marks has opened up on Zilisch's racing return, suggesting that a decision will be taken depending on the extent of his recovery. Speaking to SiriusXM NASCAR Radio, as quoted by NASCAR, he said: Connor Zilisch, driver of the #88 Registix Chevrolet, waves to fans as he walks onstage during driver intros prior to the NASCAR Xfinity Series Mission 200 at The Glen at Watkins Glen International on August... Connor Zilisch, driver of the #88 Registix Chevrolet, waves to fans as he walks onstage during driver intros prior to the NASCAR Xfinity Series Mission 200 at The Glen at Watkins Glen International on August 09, 2025 in Watkins Glen, New York. More"It's a balance. It's a balance between a 19-year-old kid who just wants to be in the race car and can't stand not being in the race car and is capable of driving the race car right now. And the other side of that is we need to make a smart decision. What we can't do is rush him back into the car, especially a place like Daytona, get in a wreck and then be worse off than we were before. "So it's kind of a day-by-day deal right now. This will be a big week to see how his rehab goes and his comfort level and all that stuff. And it could end up being a game-time decision. I know that we all want him back in the race car. He wants to be back in the race car. JRM wants him to be back in the race car. But we've got to make smart decisions, so I would just say, stay tuned on that one." Zilisch leads the Xfinity Series championship by seven points over Justin Allgaier. The race at Watkins Glen was Zilisch's sixth race win of the season. Related: NASCAR's Connor Zilisch Gets Trolled by His Father After 'Embarrassing' Fall
