23XI, FRM, and NASCAR Settle Antitrust Lawsuit After Eight Days in Court

NASCAR, 23XI Racing, and Front Row Motorsports agreed to a settlement on Thursday, which put an end to an ugly contentious antitrust trial.

Danny Hansen, Lumen Digital Agency

It's over. The antitrust lawsuit, which pitted 23XI Racing, the NASCAR Cup Series team owned by NBA legend Michael Jordan and Denny Hamlin, and Front Row Motorsports against NASCAR, officially came to a close on Thursday morning as both parties reached an agreement on a settlement on the morning of the ninth day of the trial.

The #NASCOURT trial is officially over. Judge Bell says he is pleased with the agreement and feels it will be positive for NASCAR, the teams, the industry, and the fans.

One juror jokingly asked if they’re still being paid for tomorrow, and another danced on his way out.

— Toby Christie (@Toby_Christie) December 11, 2025

Following the settlement agreement, NASCAR, 23XI Racing, and Front Row Motorsports issued a joint statement expressing that all parties feel like they mutually agreed to terms that would deliver long-term stability to the sport, which would lay the foundation of growth for years to come.

Here is the full joint statement, which also confirmed that all current NASCAR Cup Series Charter teams would receive "Evergreen" Charters, which is essentially permanent Charters:

NASCAR, 23XI Racing, and Front Row Motorsports are pleased to announce a mutually agreed-upon resolution that delivers long-term stability and creates the conditions for meaningful growth for all teams in a more competitive environment.

This resolution reflects our shared commitment to maintaining a fair and equitable framework for long-term participation in America’s premier motorsport, one that supports teams, partners, and stakeholders while ensuring fans enjoy uninterrupted access to the best racing in the world. The agreement allows all parties to move forward with a unified focus on advancing stock car racing and delivering exceptional competition for our fans.

With this matter now resolved, all parties look forward to working together, alongside all chartered race teams, to deliver world-class events, dynamic sponsorship and partner activation opportunities, and continued growth for generations to come.

As a condition of the settlement agreement, NASCAR will issue an amendment to existing charter holders detailing the updated terms for signature, which will include a form of “evergreen” charters, subject to mutual agreement. The financial terms of the settlement are confidential and will not be released.

What all parties have always agreed on is a deep love for the sport and a desire to see it fulfill its full potential. This is a landmark moment, one that ensures NASCAR’s foundation is stronger, its future is brighter, and its possibilities are greater. We extend our sincere thanks to Judge Kenneth Bell and mediator Jeffrey Mishkin for their professionalism, and guidance throughout this process and to their jury for their time.

NASCAR, 23XI, Front Row Motorsports

Separately, Jeffrey Kessler, the lead attorney for 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports, confirmed that both race teams have had their Team Charters restored for the upcoming NASCAR Cup Series season.

"As part of today's resolution, 23XI's and Front Row Motorsports' charters have been returned for the 2026 season," Kessler said.

For Jordan, a native North Carolinian who grew up a fan of NASCAR, he was happy that his team was able to forge progress for the teams in NASCAR, and feels that this will allow all stakeholders in the sport to work together to grow NASCAR for years to come.

"From the beginning, this lawsuit was about progress. It was about making sure our sport evolves in a way that supports everyone: teams, drivers, partners, employees, and fans," Jordan explained. "With a foundation to build equity and invest in the future and a stronger voice in the decisions ahead, we now have the chance to grow together and make the sport even better for generations to come. I’m excited to watch our teams get back on the track and compete hard in 2026."

Hamlin, a winner of 60 NASCAR Cup Series races, says that caring about the sport led to him wanting to do whatever it took to fight for a more sustainable business model.

“I’ve cared deeply about the sport of NASCAR my entire life. Racing is all I’ve ever known, and this sport shaped who I am. That’s why we were willing to shoulder the challenges that came with taking this stand," Hamlin said. "We believed it was worth fighting for a stronger and more sustainable future for everyone in the industry. Teams, drivers, and partners will now have the stability and opportunity they deserve. Our commitment to the fans and to the entire NASCAR community has never been stronger. I’m proud of what we’ve accomplished, and now it is time to move forward together and build the stronger future this sport deserves."

Bob Jenkins, the owner of Front Row Motorsports, feels the settlement agreement has given him confidence in the direction of the sport.

"After more than 20 years in this sport, today gives me real confidence in where we’re headed," Jenkins stated. "I love this sport, and it was clear we needed a system that treated our teams, drivers, and sponsors fairly and kept the competition strong. With this change, we can finally build long-term value and have a real voice in NASCAR’s future. I’m excited for the road ahead—for the people in the garage, the folks in the stands, and everyone who loves this sport.

Jim France, the CEO and Chairman of NASCAR, praised Thursday's outcome as a chance to give all parties flexibility and confidence moving forward.

"This outcome gives all parties the flexibility and confidence to continue delivering unforgettable racing moments for our fans, which has always been our highest priority since the sport was founded in 1948," France said. "We worked closely with race teams and tracks to create the NASCAR charter system in 2016, and it has proven invaluable to their operations and to the quality of racing across the Cup Series. Today’s agreement reaffirms our commitment to preserving and enhancing that value, ensuring our fans continue to enjoy the very best of stock car racing for generations to come. We are excited to return the collective focus of our sport, teams, and racetracks toward an incredible 78th season that begins with the Daytona 500 on Sunday, Feb. 15, 2026."

A potential catalyst for this settlement? A late-night statement submission on Wednesday from Johnny Morris, owner of long-time NASCAR sponsor Bass Pro Shops, who stood behind Richard Childress (and against NASCAR) after the sanctioning body had text messages from its executives come out in discovery in which they called Childress a "stupid redneck" and said he needed to be "taken out back and flogged".

Prior to the Morris statement, Kessler had a descisive victory in court on Wednesday as he successfully applied pressure to France, John Probst and Greg Motto. While we'll likely never know what truly triggered the settlement, the rough day in court on Wednesday coupled with the statement from Morris on Wednesday evening were two severe back-to-back blows for NASCAR.

During a small speech to the courtroom on Thursday about the settlement, Judge Bell said that this would be better for the sport moving forward. While all of the points of the settlement agreement have been agreed on, both sides still need time to write it out and present it to the judge.

Barring any small procedural hiccups or holdups in the settlement process or any red tape, the NASCAR antitrust trial should finally wrap up on Thursday after eight days, and not continue any further.