Denny Hamlin remains confident in antitrust case brought by 23XI and Front Row against NASCAR
KANSAS CITY, Kan. — Denny Hamlin said Saturday that he remains “pretty confident” in the case brought by his 23XI Racing, co-owned by the veteran driver and retired NBA great Michael Jordan, and Front Row Motorsports against NASCAR alleging antitrust violations. Hamlin spoke a day after a three-judge federal appellate panel indicated it might overturn […]
KANSAS CITY, Kan. — Denny Hamlin said Saturday that he remains “pretty confident” in the case brought by his 23XI Racing, co-owned by the veteran driver and retired NBA great Michael Jordan, and Front Row Motorsports against NASCAR alleging antitrust violations.
Hamlin spoke a day after a three-judge federal appellate panel indicated it might overturn an injunction that allows 23XI and Front Row to race as chartered teams, even as their lawsuit against the stock car series plays out in court.
“You know, they’re telling me kind of what’s going on. I didn’t get to hear it live or anything like that,” Hamlin said after qualifying 14th for Sunday’s race at Kansas Speedway. “But we’re overall pretty confident in our case.”
The teams filed the antitrust lawsuit against NASCAR on Oct. 2 in the Western District of North Carolina, arguing that the series bullied teams into signing charter agreements — essentially franchise deals — that make it difficult to compete financially.
Those were the only two holdouts of 15 charter-holding teams that refused to sign the agreements in September.
The most recent extension of the charters lasts until 2031, matching the current media rights deal. Perhaps the biggest benefit of them is that they guarantee 36 of the 40 spots available in each NASCAR race to teams that own them.
Overturning the injunction would leave 23XI and Front Row racing as “open teams,” meaning they would have to qualify at every Cup Series event. But there are only four open spots, and 23XI had four cars at Kansas this week — Bubba Wallace, Riley Herbst, Tyler Reddick and Corey Heim — and Front Row had three with Noah Gragson, Zane Smith and Todd Gilliland.
“You know, the judges haven’t made any kind of ruling,” Hamlin said, “so until they do, then we’re going to stay status quo.”
NASCAR attorney Chris Yates had argued the injunction, granted in December by U.S. District Judge Kenneth Bell, forced the series into an unwanted relationship with unwilling partners and that it harms other teams because they earn less money. He also said that the teams should not have the benefits of the charter system they are suing to overturn.
“There’s no other place to compete,” countered Jeffrey Kessler, the attorney representing 23XI and Front Row, noting overturning the injunction would cause tremendous damage to the teams, potentially including the loss of drivers and sponsors.
“It will cause havoc to overturn this injunction in the middle of the season,” Kessler said.
There is a trial date set for December, and judge Steven Agee urged the sides to meet for mediation — previously ordered by a lower court — to attempt to resolve the dispute over the injunction. But that seems unlikely.
“We’re not going to rewrite the charter,” Yates told the judges.
NASCAR issues $75,000 fine and suspension after Kansas Speedway
NASCAR penalty report after Kansas Speedway Chris Buescher and the RFK Racing No. 17 team has been issued an L1 penalty after Kansas Speedway. The violation was discovered during a tear down at the NASCAR R&D Center after the race. The penalty was officially issued on Tuesday. The penalty is related to the front bumper […]
Chris Buescher and the RFK Racing No. 17 team has been issued an L1 penalty after Kansas Speedway.
The violation was discovered during a tear down at the NASCAR R&D Center after the race. The penalty was officially issued on Tuesday.
The penalty is related to the front bumper cover. NASCAR says the maximum 2 inches of reinforcement behind the front bumper foam had been exceeded.
View the NASCAR penalty report after Kansas Speedway below.
14.1.C: Overall Assembled Vehicle Rules: “Vehicles must comply with Section 14 Vehicle and Driver Safety Specifications of the NASCAR Rule Book at all times during an Event. Failure to comply will be subject to Penalty pursuant to Section 10 Violations and Disciplinary Action.”
14.5.4.G: Front Bumper Cover: “The front fascia may be strengthened on the inner surface with bonded on non-metallic materials in the area contacting the bumper foam and up to 2 inches further in all directions.”
RFK Racing does have the option to appeal the penalty.
The team has been fined a steep $75,000. They have also been docked 60 owner points, 60 driver points and 5 NASCAR Playoff driver and owner points.
In addition, the crew chief has been suspended for the next two events.
Brad Moran comments
Brad Moran is the NASCAR Cup Series Managing Director. He commented on the penalty earlier today.
“Unfortunately, the No. 17 did not meet the rule and had a larger area than what is permitted to be bonded into the nose piece,” Brad Moran stated via Hauler Talk.
“They can work in that area, but they went too far would be the simplest terms of putting it.”
NASCAR penalty system updated with possible $500k fine
RFK Racing statement
On Thursday, RFK Racing issued the following statement:
“RFK Racing acknowledges the penalties assessed by NASCAR to the No. 17 Ford Mustang following this past weekend’s race in Kansas,” the team opened.
“We remain committed to full compliance with NASCAR’s rules. At this time, we are carefully reviewing the details of the situation to determine if we file an appeal within the time frame allotted.”
Penalty: Team has been fined $75,000 and assessed with the loss of 60 owner points, 60 driver points and 5 NASCAR Playoff driver and owner points. Crew chief (Scott Graves) has been suspended from the next two NASCAR Cup Series events, through Charlotte Motor Speedway.
If there is an appeal, the parts would be in the NASCAR hauler at Charlotte Motor Speedway, following the appeal decision. If there is no appeal, NASCAR will likely bring the parts to the garage area this weekend at North Wilkesboro and give a detailed video walkthrough of the violation.
NASCAR TV schedule this weekend: Cup Series, Truck Series head to North Wilkesboro Speedway
CONCORD, N.C. – This weekend, stock car racing returns to historic North Wilkesboro Speedway. Sunday’s main event will be the third time the NASCAR Cup Series has utilized the revamped circuit for the All-Star Race. Hendrick Motorsports looks to continue the momentum built by Kyle Larson and the No. 5 HendrickCars.com team’s dominant win at Kansas […]
CONCORD, N.C. – This weekend, stock car racing returns to historic North Wilkesboro Speedway. Sunday’s main event will be the third time the NASCAR Cup Series has utilized the revamped circuit for the All-Star Race.
Hendrick Motorsports looks to continue the momentum built by Kyle Larson and the No. 5 HendrickCars.com team’s dominant win at Kansas Speedway.
Larson has also piled up his share of success in the All-Star Race as well. He’s won three of the last six and is currently tied for second all-time with Jeff Gordon and Dale Earnhardt, one back of Jimmie Johnson (four) for the most All-Star wins ever.
Chase Elliott is the other active Hendrick Motorsports driver to win the event, claiming victory in 2020 at Bristol Motor Speedway.
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All of Hendrick Motorsports’ drivers are locked into the event for the 22nd time in the organization’s history, 13 more than any other organization.
Also competing this week will be the four Hendrick Motorsports crews in the pit crew challenge, which will be held during qualifying with each driver making a stop between laps. The fastest time will take home bragging rights in addition to earning first selection of pit stalls for Sunday’s main event.
Make sure to check out the full weekend schedule below:
Where is NASCAR racing this weekend?
NASCAR will race at North Wilkesboro Speedway this weekend.
What time is the NASCAR race today?
(All times listed in eastern time)
Friday, May 16
4 p.m. – Cup Series qualifying entry/exit practice (Open entires), FS2
4:30 – Cup Series qualifying entry/exit practice (All-Star entires), FS2
5 – Cup Series practice (Open and All-Star entries), FS1
Denny Hamlin opens up on major change to NASCAR Cup Series playoffs
Denny Hamlin has revealed his thoughts on a major change to the NASCAR Cup Series calendar this week.
The deciding race of the 2026 season has been moved back to Homestead-Miami, but will move on a rotational basis after this year among a number of tracks.
READ MORE: Michael Jordan-owned 23XI team could […]
Denny Hamlin has revealed his thoughts on a major change to the NASCAR Cup Series calendar this week.
The deciding race of the 2026 season has been moved back to Homestead-Miami, but will move on a rotational basis after this year among a number of tracks.
READ MORE: Michael Jordan-owned 23XI team could leave NASCAR MID-SEASON after appeal hearing
The championship race was moved from Homestead-Miami to Phoenix in 2020, a controversial move which was nonetheless received well by a number of fans, with Joey Logano winning two of his three Cup Series titles in Arizona.
Hamlin talked about the move to a rotational championship race on his Actions Detrimental podcast this week, praising the Phoenix fans and facilities while admitting he’s looking forward to the key race returning to Florida next year.
Hamlin: Phoenix deserved run as Championship Race
“I’m glad to see it back at Homestead,” he admitted. “Phoenix is a great venue the way they upgraded the facilities. The fan interaction, the fan zone in there is fantastic. They spent money on the facility to upgrade and make it up to Championship standards.
“The town always supports us, and it’s always crowded, doesn’t matter if it’s spring or the fall Championship race. Phoenix fans show out for us, which is why they deserved to have the Championship race for so long.”
Homestead-Miami track president Guillermo Santa Cruz said recently of the move: “First, it’s an honor to be chosen as the first one to be in that rotation.
“I think that rotation is a really good model for us to move into. It’s good for the fans, it’s good for the drivers, and it’s great for everybody, and it’ll allow us to really set a lot of precedent and then work with NASCAR more broadly to see how the model is going to be executed.”
NASCAR HEADLINES: Cup Series leader demoted as dozens of in-race penalties confirmed
NASCAR hammers Ford driver Chris Buescher and his team for illegal modifications at Kansas
Associated Press CONCORD, N.C. (AP) — NASCAR penalized driver Chris Buescher and his Roush Fenway Keselowski Racing team for illegal modifications to the bumper of his No. 17 Ford at Kansas Speedway. The sanctioning body docked the team 60 driver points, 60 owner points, five driver playoff points and five owner playoff points for the […]
CONCORD, N.C. (AP) — NASCAR penalized driver Chris Buescher and his Roush Fenway Keselowski Racing team for illegal modifications to the bumper of his No. 17 Ford at Kansas Speedway.
The sanctioning body docked the team 60 driver points, 60 owner points, five driver playoff points and five owner playoff points for the level one violation. It also fined the team $75,000 and suspended crew chief Scott Graves from the next two races: the All-Star Race and the Coca-Cola 600.
The hefty penalties came three days after Buescher finished eighth at Kansas and dropped him from 12th in the Cup Series point standings to 24th, well out of playoff contention.
The violations were discovered when the car was inspected at the NASCAR R&D Center after the race.
Cup Series managing director Brad Moran said on the “Hauler Talk” podcast that the car exceeded the maximum 2 inches of reinforcement behind the front bumper foam.
There was no immediate word on whether RFK Racing would appeal the penalty.
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AP auto racing: https://apnews.com/hub/auto-racing
Southern California’s tribute to a true automotive legend returns this weekend, bigger and more significant than ever. After a one-year hiatus, The 2025 Carroll Shelby Tribute and Car Show roars back into Irvine this Saturday, May 17, set to celebrate a remarkable trio of 60th anniversaries central to the Shelby legacy, all while supporting the […]
Southern California’s tribute to a true automotive legend returns this weekend, bigger and more significant than ever. After a one-year hiatus, The 2025 Carroll Shelby Tribute and Car Show roars back into Irvine this Saturday, May 17, set to celebrate a remarkable trio of 60th anniversaries central to the Shelby legacy, all while supporting the California Fire Foundation.
This year’s free-to-spectators event marks six decades since the introduction of the iconic Shelby GT350, the arrival of the fearsome Shelby 427 Cobra, and Shelby American Racing’s historic FIA World Sports Car Championship victory. These milestones defined an era of American performance, largely shaped by Carroll Shelby, who built his famed cars in Southern California during the 1960s.
The tribute event, which began in 2013 following Shelby’s death in May 2012, honors his enduring impact. Organizers expect hundreds of high-performance Ford and Shelby vehicles to flood Whatney Street in Irvine for the show, which runs from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
The day promises a feast for enthusiasts, with the renowned Segerstrom Shelby Event Center museum opening its doors to showcase its impressive collection of Shelby vehicles and memorabilia.
Nearby, Hillbank Motorsports/Superformance/Shelby Legendary Cars will also welcome visitors to its facility. Team Shelby Pacific Coast Region joins these entities in hosting the tribute.
Shelby American plans a strong presence, displaying its latest vehicles, including the 2025 Shelby GT350 and the tire-shredding 830 horsepower Shelby Super Snake, alongside its lineup of high-performance trucks.
Several key figures from the Shelby world will attend, including Carroll Shelby’s grandson Aaron Shelby, Shelby American President Gary Patterson, and Vice President Vince LaViolette.
They join Shayna Stander of Hillbank Motorsports and Ted and Rae Segerstrom for presentations, an autograph session, and awards. Food trucks will also be on site. All profits from the 2025 Carroll Shelby Tribute will benefit the California Fire Foundation, providing assistance to those affected by recent devastating fires in Southern California.
This Saturday’s gathering offers a unique opportunity for fans to immerse themselves in Shelby’s heritage, meet key personalities, and support a cause, all while celebrating the powerful legacy of an American automotive icon.
NASCAR has had its fair share of strange and bizarre happenings over the years, and the All-Star Race is no exception. In the past, ‘One Hot Night’ ended with the race winner in the hospital, the first All-Star Race had the winning car (suspiciously) blow its engine just as it crossed the finish line, and […]
NASCAR has had its fair share of strange and bizarre happenings over the years, and the All-Star Race is no exception. In the past, ‘One Hot Night’ ended with the race winner in the hospital, the first All-Star Race had the winning car (suspiciously) blow its engine just as it crossed the finish line, and there was also that time NASCAR let teams roll out the backup cars (mid-race)…after they all crashed due to a surprise rain shower.
Five years ago, NASCAR hosted another All-Star Race to remember, but not necessarily for the action on the track. The entire world felt strange to begin with, as it was taking place in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic. As a result of this, the event was moved from Charlotte Motor Speedway for the first time in over 30 years, heading to Bristol Motor Speedway in the middle of July.
Oh, and did we mention this particular All-Star race took place on a Wednesday?
With the pandemic forcing NASCAR to alter its schedule on the fly, the sanctioning body was toying with the concept of mid-week races in 2020. So, on a Wednesday night at Bristol on primetime television, they allowed a limited number of fans at the half-mile short track, reaching about 1/4th of its actual capacity. An estimated 22,000+ showed up in what turned out to be the most attended sporting event in the United States since the 2020 pandemic began.
Something is off
Aric Almirola, Stewart-Haas Racing Ford
Photo by: Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images
As soon as cars rolled out on track, those watching noticed something was visually off with the cars. The numbers were shifted back towards the rear wheels with sponsor logos placed ahead of them on the door. NASCAR was hoping to give more visibility to brands on the cars, but aesthetically, those watching were unimpressed. In fact, most hated it. NASCAR did eventually move the numbers in 2022, but instead chose to move them forward on the car, which still wasn’t popular, but at least it doesn’t look quite as odd.
The cars had more surprises to offer, but that wouldn’t become noticeable until the sun went down.
In the meantime, the event went forward with the ‘Open’ race, which gave those not yet locked into the All-Star Race a chance to race their way in. In this event, a notable incident overshadowed the outcome, involving Bubba Wallace and Michael McDowell.
The two drivers were battling for third place when McDowell grew frustrated with Wallace, and appeared to turn down abruptly, hooking Wallace into the outside wall and crashing him out of the race.
Wallace was furious, giving a fiery interview to FOX. “I don’t even need to see a replay. look at this s***. People say he’s one of the nicest guys in the garage. Can’t wait for the god-fearing text that he’s gonna send me about preaching and praising respect. What a joke he is.”
Wallace ended up walking off with the damaged front bumper of his No. 43 car, dropping it off at McDowell’s hauler in a moment that instantly went viral. McDowell and Front Row Motorsports later auctioned the bumper off for charity and everyone were pretty good sports about it in the end.
Choose rule
Photo by: Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images
Aric Almirola, William Byron, and Matt DiBenedetto ended up racing their way into the main event, while Clint Bowyer won the fan vote, taking the final spot on the grid.
The Open also debuted the choose rule — a new concept for NASCAR, but commonly used in local races around the country. Drivers throughout the entire field were allowed to choose which lane they wished to restart in for the very first time, and of all the things that were trialed at this particular All-Star Race, this is the one rule change that stuck.
The choose rule remains in use to this very day in all three national divisions.
A literal NASCAR glow-up
The All-Star Race field
Photo by: Getty Images
As the cars rolled onto the concrete half-mile for the main event, the already strange-looking machines looked even odder than before. It was nighttime, and underglow lighting was clearly emanating from beneath the rear bumper of every car.
The Fords were blue, the Toyotas red, and the Chevrolets amber.
And while it looked a bit whacky, you have to applaud NASCAR for its willingness to try new things in the All-Star Race, even if it all feels like strange fever dream a few years later.
As for the race itself, it was fairly straightforward. All 20 starters remained running and on the lead lap at the very end, while the field struggled to put any real challenge to Chase Elliott. NASCAR’s Most Popular Driver claimed victory over Kyle Busch, which the fans certainly loved.
Race winner Chase Elliott, Hendrick Motorsports
In fact, one overly enthusiastic (and likely intoxicated) fan decided to place an exclamation point on the surreal day by scaling the catch-fence in response to Elliott’s win. He was promptly removed by security. Meanwhile, Elliott grabbed his COVID mask, a Roman gladius sword and proceeded to celebrate in Victory Lane.
And that was the end of the Bristol All-Star Race experiment. The event is now hosted by North Wilkesboro, the numbers are closer to the front wheels than the rear wheels, and there are no LED lights under the cars.
The only lasting legacy from this event was the choose rule, while the rest faded away…and maybe that’s for the best.
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