Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing filed a lawsuit in Marion County, Ind., on Monday against companies associated with 5-hour ENERGY, former sponsor of the No. 30 RLL IndyCar Series entry driven by Pietro Fittipaldi in 2024.

RLL’s “Complaint and Demand for Jury” seeks unspecified damages from Bridge Media Networks, LLC (“BMN”); Innovation Ventures, LLC (“IV”); Living Essentials, LLC; and International IP Holdings, LLC, relating to the motorsports sponsorship agreement (MSA) executed between the team and cadre of 5-hour-related companies.

The heavily redacted filing impedes the ability to identify the finer details of the complaint, but the available text paints a picture of RLL expecting to receive some form of monetary value or income from BMN/IV through a television channel owned by BMN/IV.

“In accord with the purported contract and the parties’ commercial dealings, RLL placed Defendants’ brand, Five Hour Energy, prominently on RLL’s race car,” the complaint says. “In exchange, BMN and IV agreed to [REDACTED]. By signing the Original MSA, BMN and IV represented that [REDACTED]. In reality, they [REDACTED]. All Defendants knew [REDACTED] before the execution of the Original MSA. All Defendants concealed the fact that [REDACTED] before the execution of the Original MSA.”

Whether it was through the selling of ads on the channel or another income-generating mechanism attached to the channel that delivered funding to RLL, the complaint appears to allege payment for 5-hour ENERGY’s presence on No. 30 Honda through the channel did not happen in some capacity due to the channel being shuttered.

“On the morning of August 2, 2024, the referenced broadcast television stations and networks upon which RLL was to [REDACTED] ‘shut down,’ with executives ‘stating that nobody was watching the channels,’” the complaint says, citing statements made in public interviews by the defendants.

“These networks ‘abruptly laid off [their] entire staff of 80 workers and shut down.’ A few days later, the streaming services for these networks were removed. The shutdown was permanent.”

Unredacted passages in the complaint suggest RLL believes its MSA with BMN/IV was completed while BMN/IV were allegedly planning to cease operations with the television channel which, in theory, would have jeopardized the ability for the MSA to be honored.

“The founder of 5-hour ENERGY had acquired the broadcast networks in 2022, and he subsequently launched a sports television news network,” the complaint continues. “He knew, and all Defendants knew, at all material times, that the television stations and broadcast networks were failing. Indeed, he stated, upon shutting down the companies in or around August 2024: ‘A lack of dedicated audience was the reason for the ceasing of operations…. We believed people would want to watch a clean, non-bias[ed] news network, but we were wrong…. Without a large audience, we just couldn’t continue to lose money….[W]e just couldn’t continue.’

“The founder shut down the broadcast networks ‘in an unusual way, immediately pulling the plug rather than publicly seeking a buyer or investors.’ He did this with full knowledge and approval of all Defendants.”

An amended MSA was executed that extended the contract from the end of 2024 to the end of 2025, which is referenced more than once, and specifically in the closing request titled ‘Breach of Contract.’

Among the various requests made in the complaint, the closing passages reinforce RLL’s belief that BMN/IV acted improperly to the point of breaching the MSA and that RLL is owned something BMN/IV has not delivered.

“The Original MSA and/or the Amended MSA, together or separately, constitute a valid, binding, and enforceable contract,” the complaint states. “RLL has performed its part of the contract. BMN and IV have breached the MSA in the manner described. RLL has been damaged by BMN and IV’s breach. RLL has had to resort to this litigation to enforce the MSA. RLL has incurred reasonable attorneys’ fees and costs in doing so.”

RLL alleges “BMN and IV engaged in: evasion of the spirit of the bargain, lack of diligence and slacking off, willful rendering of imperfect performance, abuse of a power to specify terms, and interference with or failure to cooperate in the other party’s performance,” and asks the court to “enter judgment in favor of Plaintiff and against Defendants. Award compensatory damages to Plaintiff. Award restitution to Plaintiff. Require Defendants to disgorge their unjust gains. Award attorneys’ fees and costs to Plaintiff. Award interest to Plaintiff. Award all other just and proper relief.”

RLL also asks the court to either enforce the MSAs and compel BMN/IV to provide whatever damages it is seeking, or to invalidate the contracts, which could be a tactic to pursue the alleged damages through a different legal strategy.

Reached by RACER, an RLL spokesperson said, “We do not comment on pending litigation.”

Delivering a Fully Integrated Fan Experience

With Racing America’s digital production and streaming capabilities layered onto the Company’s nationwide live-event footprint — including the Trans Am Series presented by Pirelli, Sportscar Vintage Racing Association, Formula Regional Americas Championship, Formula 4 United States Championship, Ligier Junior Formula Championship, and International GT — the combined organization becomes the industry’s largest single source of live racing, original content, and behind-the-scenes access.

“This marks a new era for Racing America as we expand from a digital media platform into a fully connected motorsports network,” said Colin Smith, President of Racing America. “With Velocity Capital Management’s support, we will broaden our content and technology offerings, stream more live events, and deliver the rich storylines that motorsports fans want to see.”

Accelerating Growth and Expanding Accessibility

“Racing America is uniquely positioned to accelerate fan interest and participation in grassroots and amateur motorsports,” said Erin Edwards, Partner at Velocity Capital Management. “Our goal is to make grassroots racing accessible to everyone while providing passionate fans with more ways to engage with the sport they already love.”

As part of the transaction, Jeffrey Wolf, Velocity Operating Partner and former media executive at E.W. Scripps and Sony Pictures, will become Chairman of the Board.

“Transforming the Company from an events business into a broader motorsports entertainment platform is central to our growth strategy,” Wolf said. “Today’s fans expect compelling storytelling, premium production, and behind-the-scenes access. With Racing America, we can deliver all of that — and more.”

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The first person the jurors likely see as they walk to their seats each day in the biggest NASCAR trial ever is Michael Jordan. 

They haven’t just seen him. They have heard from the basketball icon and many others on the team side in the first seven days of the 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports antitrust trial against NASCAR. 

So, who is winning? 

First a caveat: Having covered NASCAR for more than 30 years, I know a lot about the inner workings of the sport. Therefore, it is impossible for me to view anything through the lens of someone who doesn’t have this knowledge. When I look at the people in the sport who I’ve known for several years, their mannerisms and persona seem normal to me. But how would someone that’s meeting or seeing these people for the first time perceive them? It’s difficult to know. 

That being said, so far, the teams likely have the edge. This would be expected since NASCAR hasn’t gotten to present witnesses that could be more favorable to its side. That should start Wednesday after NASCAR CEO and Chairman Jim France finishes his testimony and 23XI and FRM rest their case.

Michael Jordan watches the Cook Out Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway.

It can’t hurt to have Jordan sitting in the front row each day. But the jury, while seemingly a little more perked up when Jordan testified Friday on behalf of his race team, didn’t appear too starstruck. And Jordan received mostly softball questions from NASCAR attorney Lawrence Buterman.

That’s nothing against Buterman. Winning an argument with Jordan in North Carolina would be tougher than trying to gain several spots on a green-white-checkered without fresh tires.

Jordan was smooth and appeared comfortable and confident while on the stand. The same has been true for most of the 23XI and FRM ownership, while the four NASCAR executives have appeared less comfortable, more evasive and on the defensive. 

The final witness for 23XI and FRM is the 81-year-old France, a soft-spoken introvert and a man of few words. NASCAR recently had a valuation of $5 billion, and France’s family trust owns 54 percent of the league (his niece, Lesa, has a family trust that owns 46 percent).

France is coming off as a CEO who won’t give many details. As the person who has been described as the “brick wall” in the teams’ quest for permanent charters, he almost appears to be a brick wall as the team attorneys dig for information.

Is he being evasive as part of a strategy? As someone who rarely speaks at news conferences or on a stage, is he just uncomfortable in the witness chair? Or maybe it’s that he’s more of someone who delegates and he’s more accustomed to people putting his vision into action. 

He isn’t coming off as mean-spirited. He’s coming off as the grandfather who is still ruling the family business no matter what the kids want. 

The kids have shown more emotion and deeper knowledge, but it is apparent that he is the leader who typically gets his way and doesn’t need a bold persona (at least outside any internal meeting room) to get it done. He has done nothing on the stand to change the perception that he owns the series and what he says goes. He will break on some issues, bend on others and put his foot down when he feels he is right — no matter what anyone else thinks, whether it’s his friends or not.

Business is business and you don’t build a company worth $5 billion by letting someone tell you what to do. And he’s heard that from pretty much every witness on the stand, including seeing the critical texts and emails from people who work for him. It has made the NASCAR executives who have testified appear to squirm.

That likely won’t help NASCAR’s case. 

Denny Hamlin and 23XI are hoping to win the antitrust trial against NASCAR.

The team owners Denny Hamlin, Michael Jordan and Bob Jenkins came off as likable, as did Joe Gibbs Racing co-owner Heather Gibbs. It was hard to tell how Richard Childress, who got flustered when NASCAR attorneys brought up a potential sale of his team, played with the jury.

The team economist, Edward Snyder, used a presentation that will be understandable for those whose minds work in a mathematical way. It likely confused others despite its step-by-step explanation.

And on the flip side, NASCAR’s attorneys are doing a relatively good job in finding any hole they can in the 23XI and FRM side. They have shown enough inconsistencies and contradictions — certainly some points being stronger than others (it is simple to wonder why spend so much money in a business that is so unfair) — to make jurors think.

The one thing that might actually help them is the judge has ruled they are already a monopoly. The jurors just have to figure out if NASCAR’s monopoly has been sustained by anticompetitive acts.

It would be a lot easier case if there was a failed team also suing but there isn’t. The teams’ economist could only look at NASCAR documents and actions and try to tie them together. It isn’t like 23XI and FRM have tried to form a separate series and there will be no witnesses from non-NASCAR racetracks who will claim they have been stifled by NASCAR policies.

NASCAR has been able to challenge the validity of the teams’ claims or whether they are exaggerating any financials or whether NASCAR’s actions truly were a response to being worried about competition. 

Will it be enough? Right now the case seems to weigh toward 23XI and FRM. All they need is the weight of the evidence in their favor (compared to a criminal trial with a beyond a reasonable doubt standard).

If the jury decides that NASCAR did employ anticompetitive acts, then they have to decide on how much money to give the teams. The economist says it should be $215.8 million for 23XI and $148.9 for FRM.

Will they really give billionaire like Jordan than much? Will they give Jenkins, the owner of hundreds of fast-food restaurants, that much? Or will they be like, “Yeah, NASCAR has been unfair but you are racing because you love racing and have you truly been injured with all that fancy math of your economist?”

The true impact still could very well come down to the judge, who would be the one to determine any antitrust remedies if the teams win. The judge decides whether NASCAR sells the tracks, gets rid of charters, gets rid of the Next Gen car, gets rid of exclusivity clauses — anything (or combination of things) he views as a way to break up the monopoly. That could mean things neither side wants, although they could then settle that on appeal.

Yes, an appeal. The winner is only winning the first half. There will be appeals.

It’s time to start the second quarter with NASCAR presenting its case. It’s going to need a strong one to be convincing. They don’t need a half-court short, but they do need a well-executed play against a strong opponent. 

Bob Pockrass covers NASCAR and INDYCAR for FOX Sports. He has spent decades covering motorsports, including over 30 Daytona 500s, with stints at ESPN, Sporting News, NASCAR Scene magazine and The (Daytona Beach) News-Journal. Follow him on Twitter @bobpockrass.

WILDE Protein Snacks, a healthy snack option crafted from real ingredients, will join JR Motorsports as a multi-race primary sponsor during the 2026 NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series campaign.

The popular brand will be partnered with Carson Kvapil, a second-year driver in the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series, for three events, starting at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on March 14. WILDE’s sponsorship program will continue with primaries at both Indianapolis Motor Speedway (July 25) and World Wide Technology Raceway (September 12).

In addition to the brand’s multi-race primary sponsorship of Kvapil, WILDE will also serve as an associate sponsor for Rajah Caruth on board the No. 88 HendrickCars.com Chevrolet in 23 events for the coming season.

“I am so grateful to have the support of WILDE as we head into 2026,” said Carson Kvapil. “The team and I are putting in a lot of work over the off-season to come back stronger than ever, and we are ready to embody the WILDE brand both on and off the track and get them up front and battling for some wins.”

Jason Wright, the founder of WILDE Protein Snacks, was determined to find a healthier option to beat the craving for salty, crunchy, comforting potato chips when he had the idea to combine chicken breast, egg whites, bone broth, and a custom seasoning blend.

As of today, WILDE owns and operates its own manufacturing facility in Kentucky, which is the only USDA chip manufacturing facility in the world. WILDE products can be found in most grocery stores, as well as Target and Costco, offered in multiple popular flavors.

“Partnering with JR Motorsports is an incredible moment for WILDE,” said Jason Wright, CEO of WILDE. “We built this brand to fuel people with real ingredients and bold flavor, and there’s no better place to showcase that than on the track. Supporting Carson Kvapil and Rajah Caruth throughout the season gives us an exciting platform to connect with fans who share our passion for performance, grit, and pushing boundaries.”

Carson Kvapil will run full-time in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series in 2026, although it won’t be in just a single entry. The son of NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series champion Travis Kvapil will split time in the No. 1 Chevrolet at JR Motorsports with Rodney Childers as crew chief, before running the remainder of the campaign in a JR Motorsports-supported entry.

Kvapil and WILDE Protein Snacks will take the green flag at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on Saturday, March 14 at 5:30 PM ET on The CW, PRN, and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90.

“NASCAR must acknowledge the current model is unsustainable”

23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports are suing NASCAR in an antitrust trial. The two sides have been in court for over a week.

The court has already ruled that NASCAR has a monopoly on stock car racing. Now, the teams are looking to prove that NASCAR used anti-competitive practices to build that monopoly.

NASCAR lawsuit opened by 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports

In April 2024, Rick Hendrick wrote a letter to NASCAR CEO Jim France as teams were negotiating with NASCAR regarding the upcoming charter agreement. That letter has surfaced it court and it reveals new financial information regarding one of the biggest and most successful teams in all of auto racing.

During negotiations, one of the things teams were aiming for was a larger piece of the TV revenue. They also requested that the charter system become permanent.

As of 2024, Hendrick Motorsports won two NASCAR Cup Series championships in a five-year period between Kyle Larson and Chase Elliott. (Note: Larson also won the 2025 championship but 2025 financials were not included pre-dating this 2024 letter.)

Despite winning two of the five championships in that five-year span, Hendrick Motorsports lost $20M. That is a shocking revelation.

Rick Hendrick’s letter to Jim France

“Thank you for reaching out. I hope you and your family are doing well,” Rick Hendrick opened in the letter to Jim France.

“I believe we agree it’s critical for Hendrick Motorsports and all teams to establish a Charter agreement that’s fair and ensures a collaborative and prosperous structure for NASCAR, its stakeholders and the industry as a whole. This is an incredibly exciting time. The sport has great momentum, and we now have an opportunity to make even more progress if we choose to embrace it.”

“The alternative is something none of us want, but I’m afraid we’ve reached a breaking point.”

“You and I have become good friends. I have tremendous respect for you and truly value our personal relationship. In turn, I understand you must prioritize business and the best interests of your company, your family and your employees. But for the sake of transparency, I want to share my dismay at the state of these negotiations and the ineffective process we’ve endured over the last two years. Both sides have wasted a tremendous amount of time and resources, and we find ourselves at an unnecessary impasse.”

Jeremy Mayfield knocks NASCAR after leaked messages

Hendrick Motorsports Financials

“I’d also like to take this opportunity to share some facts. Over the past five years, Hendrick Motorsports has won two NASCAR Cup Series championships – and lost $20 million. I’d be happy to show you audited financial statements. I love this sport, and my passion for it keeps me engaged, but there’s a clear business reality. Before we can possibly reach an agreement, NASCAR must acknowledge the current model is unsustainable for teams and cannot continue without substantive, fundamental change.”

“Hendrick Motorsports has helped grow the sport. For example, Ally is one of the few full-time primary sponsors and, because of our relationship, has now become one of your official NASCAR partners. They also spend well over $1 million annually with FOX and NBC. We brought NAPA Auto Parts back into NASCAR after they were thoroughly embarrassed and elected to leave. My own company spend more than $20 million per year in sponsorship and advertising with NASCAR’s broadcast partners.”

“To allow our racing programs to operate, Hendrick Automotive Group did $1 billion in business with Hendrick Motorsports sponsors in 2023, including:

– “Ally: 22,000 loan originations ($951 million in retail paper)”

– “UniFirst: 24,000 uniforms leased ($4 million)”

– “Axalta: 33,000 gallons of Axalta paint used ($8.5 million purchased)”

– “Valvoline: 887,000 gallons of oil poured”

– “NAPA: 1.2 million parts purchased ($9 million)”

“The list of brands that have engaged with NASCAR because of Hendrick Motorsports is long. We have invested in building star drivers and have promoted the sport as much as anyone over the last four decades. Our organization and our partners direct tens of millions back to your company in the form of luxury suite rentals and other track activation costs.”

Rick Hendrick looks to make team ownership healthy

“But the message I continue to hear from NASCAR is that the teams bring no value, our rights are worthless and we don’t know how to run a viable business.”

“To be made to feel that my family’s investments and sacrifices are not appreciated, valued or respected by NASCAR is disappointing. To put it mildly. To be asked to consider a lesser deal, as your most recent proposal suggests, is a slap in the face. I will not agree to it.”

“Jim, your family has built an incredible legacy over the past 76 years, and I know it’s vitally important to you that it continue to grow and be successful long after we’re both gone. Having invested in building Hendrick Motorsports for 40 of those years, I feel exactly the same way. At this point in my life, I’m focused on ensuring that our company is around for the next 40 years. Jeff Gordon love the sport. So does my son-in-law Marshall Carlson, my grandson and the rest of my family. I want to see them carry it on far into the future. I owe it to my family, my employees and their families to do everything in my power to secure that future.”

“I understand it’s your preference to meet with teams individually, but I urge you to personally come to the table and work together with us. The teams agree on the core issues and are committed to seeing this through. We are presenting reasonable, common-sense ideas that will allow us to build long-term value, encourage future investment by teams, attract new ownership to the sport, and grow the pie for everyone, including NASCAR. Notable, the proposals also do not ask you to take a step back financially.”

“Our negotiation is about survival for the teams but it’s also about wiping the slate clear and creating a truly collaborative structure that will propel NASCAR to even greater heights. In my heart, I know there is a win-win solution that will allow all of us to thrive for many more years. If I’ve learned anything in my time in business, it’s that we’ll always be better by coming together. We have that opportunity right now.”

NASCAR team owner says he’s lost $100M in the sport

Links

NASCAR | Hendrick Motorsports | 23XI Racing | Front Row Motorsports

What’s Happening?

During the ongoing NASCAR antitrust trial, NASCAR fans are continuing to point out one mistake made by two key figures within NASCAR. But there may be more than meets the eye when it comes to this issue.

One of the most shocking moments of the ongoing antitrust lawsuit filed by NASCAR teams 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports was the unsealing of text messages shared between NASCAR officials, including former NASCAR President and current Commissioner, Steve Phelps, and former COO, now President, Steve O’Donnell.

These messages included, but were not limited to, talks about the now-defunct spec racing series SRX, which operated under the ownership of former NASCAR Crew Chief Ray Evernham and NASCAR legend Tony Stewart from 2021 to 2023.

In the messages, Phelps and O’Donnell, alongside other officials, expressed their fears about the start-up, all-star racing series, with Phelps saying in one exchange, “Need to put a knife in this trash series,” and O’Donnell saying in another, “This is NASCAR. Pure and simple. Enough. We need legal to take a shot at this.”

NASCAR fans took issue with these texts not only for the aggression shown towards the cult-favorite racing league, but also due in part to the insecurity NASCAR officials were having about another league somewhat encroaching on their turf.

During the past few sessions of the now underway antitrust trial, both Phelps and O’Donnell took the witness stand, with the two speaking not only on the text messages but also on SRX as a whole.

Elliott, the No. 9, and SRX

The two long-time NASCAR executives both had similar answers as to why they took such an aggressive stance against SRX, including their, at the time, upcoming media rights negotiations with networks, NASCAR owners and drivers racing in SRX, and the general look and feel of the series.

However, there was another point of contention with SRX, one that centered around a specific breakthrough moment for the series during its inaugural season.

For the final race of the 2021 SRX season, the series headed to the iconic Nashville Fairgrounds Speedway. Not only would this race return the iconic short track to national TV on CBS, but NASCAR legend Bill Elliott would race head-to-head with his son Chase Elliott, NASCAR’s reigning champion, that weekend.

Overall, the race in Nashville was a big win for the series, beating the NASCAR Xfinity Series in viewership, scoring 1.3 million viewers on CBS, compared to the Xfinity Series’ 1.08 million earlier that day. Though it is worth noting that SRX was on free television in prime time, while the Xfinity Series was mid-day on NBCSN.

So, aside from the ratings loss, what issue could Phelps and O’Donnell have with this event?

Well, to no surprise, the problem they had was Chase Elliott.

Now, NASCAR drivers racing in SRX was nothing new, using their usual number was nothing new, and even bringing along their iconic sponsor, like Elliot did, and eventually Denny Hamlin did, was nothing new. But, Phelps and O’Donnell claimed Elliott, driving the stylized No. 9 with NAPA sponsorship in the SRX race, had raised concerns with their TV partners.

This ties back to O’Donnell’s testimony last week, in which he said SRX “started to look more and more like NASCAR,” suggesting that SRX could have been creating confusion in the marketplace.

But, as many now know, Elliott did not drive a “stylized” No. 9 that day in Nashville; he drove the No. 94, his father’s long-time number and his former number in the NASCAR Truck Series (of which the SRX number looked similar to).