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Federal judge calls on NASCAR and two teams to settle their bitter antitrust battle | News, Sports, Jobs
The pit crew for Denny Hamlin works on the car during a pit stop in a NASCAR Cup Series auto race Sunday, June 1, 2025, in Lebanon, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — A federal judge urged NASCAR and two of its teams, including one owned by retired NBA great Michael Jordan, to settle their increasingly acrimonious legal fight that spilled over into tense arguments during a hearing on Tuesday.
U.S. District Judge Kenneth Bell of the Western District of North Carolina grilled both NASCAR and the teams — 23XI Racing, which is owned by Jordan and three-time Daytona 500 winner Denny Hamlin, and Front Row Motorsports, owned by entrepreneur Bob Jenkins — on what they hoped to accomplish in the antitrust battle that has loomed over the stock car series for months.
“It’s hard to picture a winner if this goes to the mat — or to the flag — in this case,” Bell said. “It scares me to death to think about what all this is costing.”
23XI and Front Row were the only two organizations that refused to sign a take-it-or-leave-it offer from NASCAR last September on a new charter agreement. Charters are NASCAR’s version of a franchise model, with each charter guaranteeing entry to the lucrative Cup Series races and a stable revenue stream; 13 other teams signed the agreements last fall, with some contending they had little choice.
The nearly two-hour hearing was on the teams’ request to toss out NASCAR’s countersuit, which accuses Jordan business manager Curtis Polk of “willfully” violating antitrust laws by orchestrating anticompetitive collective conduct in negotiations. NASCAR said it learned in discovery that Polk in messages among the 15 teams tried to form a “cartel” type operation that would include threats of boycotting races and a refusal to individually negotiate.
One of NASCAR’s attorneys even cited a Benjamin Franklin quote Polk allegedly sent to the 15 organizations that read: “We must all hang together, or most assuredly we shall all hang separately.”
Jeffrey Kessler, an attorney representing the teams, was angered by the revelation in open court, contending it is privileged information only revealed in discovery. Kessler also argued none of NASCAR’s claims in the countersuit prove anything illegal was done by Polk or the Race Team Alliance during the charter negotiation process.
“NASCAR knows it has no defense to the monopolization case so they have come up with this claim about joint negotiations, which they agreed to, never objected to, and now suddenly it’s an antitrust violation,” Kessler said outside court. “It makes absolutely no sense. It’s not going to help them deflect from the monopolizing they have done in this market and the harm they have inflicted.”
He added that “the attacks” on Polk were “false, unfounded and frankly beneath the dignity of my adversary to even make those type of comments, which he should know better about.”
NASCAR attorneys said Polk improperly tried to pressure all 15 teams that comprise the RTA to stand together collectively in negotiations and encouraged boycotting qualifying races for the 2024 Daytona 500. NASCAR, they said, took the threat seriously because the teams had previously boycotted a scheduled meeting with series executives.
“NASCAR knew the next step was they could boycott a race, which was a threat they had to take seriously,” attorney Lawrence Buterman said on behalf of NASCAR.
Kessler said outside court the two teams are open to settlement talks, but noted NASCAR has said it will not renegotiate the charters. NASCAR’s attorneys declined to comment after the hearing.
Bell did not indicate when he’d rule, other than saying he would decide quickly.
Preliminary injunction status
Kessler said he would file an appeal by the end of the week after a three-judge federal appellate panel dismissed a preliminary injunction that required NASCAR to recognize 23XI and Front Row as chartered teams while the court fight is being resolved.
Kessler wants the issue heard by the full appellate court. The injunction has no bearing on the merits of the case, which is scheduled to go to trial in December. The earliest NASCAR can treat the teams as unchartered is one week after the deadline to appeal, provided there is no pending appeal or whenever the appeals process has been exhausted.
There are 36 chartered cars for the 40-car field each week. If 23XI and Front Row are not recognized as chartered, their six cars would have to compete as “open” teams — which means they’d have to qualify on speed each week to make the race and they would receive a fraction of the money guaranteed for chartered teams.
Discovery issues
Some of the arguments Tuesday centered on Jonathan Marshall, the executive director of the RTA. NASCAR has demanded text messages and emails from Marshall and says it has received roughly 100 texts and over 55,000 pages of emails.
NASCAR wants all texts between Marshall and 55 people from 2020 through 2024 that contain specific search terms. Attorneys for the RTA said that covers more than 3,000 texts, some of which are privileged, and some that have been “deleted to save storage or he didn’t need them anymore.”
That issue is set to be heard during a hearing next Tuesday before Bell.
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AP auto racing: https://apnews.com/hub/auto-racing
Drivers, teams remember champion as a “fierce competitor and kindest soul” who connected with fans and gave back to the community.
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The NASCAR community is mourning the loss of former driver Greg Biffle, with tributes pouring in from across the motorsports world following news of his death in a plane crash at Statesville Regional Airport on Thursday.
Drivers, teams and longtime voices in the sport took to social media to express their shock and remember Biffle’s legacy both on and off the track.
Driver Denny Hamlin posted on X: “The motorsports world lost one of its fiercest competitors and kindest souls. Greg Biffle was a champion on the track and a humanitarian off it, whose impact reached far beyond racing.”
RELATED: NTSB recovers ‘black box’ from Greg Biffle plane, no ‘Mayday’ call made before deadly crash
NASCAR legend Jeff Gordon shared his condolences, writing, “I was inspired by his tireless relief work during Hurricane Helene. My heart goes out to the Biffle family and everyone hurting.”
Charlotte Motor Speedway called Biffle a “consummate competitor on the track and a true humanitarian” in a Facebook post.
NASCAR icon Richard Petty posted a photo with Biffle on X, saying the driver “was not only a fearless competitor, but someone who showed that same fearlessness in his generosity to others.”
Even Charlotte’s local sports teams paid tribute, with the Charlotte Hornets posting: “Biffle left an indelible mark on the sport, the auto racing industry and our community.”
Veteran NASCAR broadcaster Doug Rice, who worked closely with Biffle throughout his career, said the loss will be felt throughout the racing community for years to come.
“When he left the game, there was nobody going, ‘Well, I’m glad he’s gone. I’m glad he’s out of here,'” Rice said. “He earned and garnered the respect of everybody he ever raced against. That’s not saying that he didn’t have a couple of disagreements along the way, but he was super well respected.”
Rice noted that Biffle remained competitive even late in his career, winning a truck race at Texas Motor Speedway before retiring.
Beyond his racing accomplishments, Rice said Biffle was known for his accessibility and genuine connection with fans.
“He was very fan forward,” Rice said. “I did a show on SiriusXM yesterday for five hours, and talked to a lot of fans, and the interaction I got from every one of them was, ‘I met Greg Biffle. He stopped and talked to me. He signed my hat. He engaged me in conversation. He didn’t blow me off.'”
Rice said Biffle’s down-to-earth demeanor resonated with NASCAR’s blue-collar fans.
“I feel like he was almost an everyman,” Rice said. “He never gave the air that he was above the people that were pulling for him. He was one of them. And I think that made it a lot easier to like the guy.”
Contact Myles Harris at mharris5@wcnc.com and follow him on Facebook, X and Instagram.
In 2025, Paul Menard powered his No. 3 Pittsburgh Paints/Menards Ford Mustang to his second-consecutive Trans Am TA class championship in just his second full season in the series. In a close battle against series veteran Adam Andretti, the championship fight came down to the final race of the year, where Menard captured the crown and added to 3GT Racing’s legacy as a championship-winning organization.
Menard kicked off the year much like he did in his 2024 championship run, with a victory at Sebring International Raceway. He returned to Gym Weed Winners Circle two races later, capturing the win at Sonoma Raceway, where he held off a hard-charging Chris Dyson in a tight battle that ended with a 0.291s margin of victory.
Following a podium finish at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca, Menard scored his third victory of the year at Lime Rock Park’s Trans Am Memorial Day Classic, leading a stout field and widening his championship lead.
At Watkins Glen International, Menard notched his first win at the iconic track 22 years after making his first NASCAR start there. Menard’s momentum carried until the end of the summer, with his fifth victory of the season coming at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park, a track where he also took the checkered flag the season before.
After scoring second-place finishes at both VIRginia International Raceway and Barber Motorsports Park, Menard cinched the crown in the season finale at Circuit of The Americas. He and title rival Andretti traded positions in the closing laps, underscoring the intensity of the title fight all season long. “
Former NASCAR racer Paul Menard is a two-time Trans Am champion in as many seasons as a full-time competitor. Matt Sullivan/Getty Images
“To be a two-time champion in Trans Am with Paul Gentilozzi and Tony and John and the history that they have and the history that the series has, means a lot,” said Menard. “It’s a great series. I grew up watching [Trans Am]. They make a big push to bring it back to what it once was.
“I’ve driven a lot of cars. I’ve driven a lot of race cars on dirt, on asphalt, on road courses, on ovals. These are, hands down, the most fun, coolest race cars on road courses in North America. You can get into some ice racing or some dirt racing or something. Those cars are really fun too, but a totally different discipline. But, hands down, if you’re going to drive a road course car, these are by far the best. To be a two-time champion in that discipline means a lot.”
Motorsports
Statement from Doug Boles and Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Greg Biffle – Speedway Digest
Everyone at Indianapolis Motor Speedway is saddened by the tragic loss of Greg Biffle, his family and those involved with today’s plane crash. Greg made multiple starts in the Brickyard 400 at IMS and achieved several top-5 / top-10 finishes throughout his career here. He was a strong competitor on the track, but his selfless service to others defined the Greg Biffle we were so fortunate to know. His humanitarian efforts to serve his community and those in need, especially in the wake of Hurricane Helene, are truly heroic. Our thoughts and prayers are with his entire family, friends and legion of fans.
Toprak Razgatlıoğlu is not arriving in MotoGP to make up the numbers – he is arriving with a long game.
The three-time World Superbike champion says his debut season in 2026 will be about adaptation rather than instant glory, with his true ambitions aligned with MotoGP’s regulation reset in 2027, when he hopes to challenge Ducati star and reigning champion Marc Marquez head-on.
Razgatlıoğlu, 29, will join the Prima Pramac Yamaha team next year after clinching his third World Superbike title in October, closing a remarkable chapter in production-based racing.
The move has been years in the making, but the Turkish rider is under no illusions about the scale of the step up – especially aboard a Yamaha package that has been outgunned by Ducati in recent seasons.
“The first year will be a learning year,” Razgatlıoğlu told Spanish newspaper MARCA. “After that, with the new tyres and new rules, I feel there will be a lot of success in 2027.”
He tempered expectations for immediate results but did not shy away from his ultimate target.
“If I can get some good positions, or podiums if possible, I will be very happy,” he said. “I hope to fight with him (Marquez) in some races, but in 2027 my biggest challenge will be fighting with him.”
Career built on disruption
Razgatlıoğlu’s reputation was forged by doing what few riders could: breaking dynasties.
His 2021 World Superbike title with Yamaha ended Jonathan Rea’s six-year reign, achieved through fearless late braking and an uncanny ability to extract grip where others found limits.
His switch to BMW only strengthened his legend.
After delivering a breakthrough title in 2024, he doubled down in 2025, fending off Ducati challenger Nicolo Bulega and sealing the crown before the season finale.
The run cemented him as one of the most naturally gifted riders of his generation – and a rare talent capable of transforming a manufacturer’s fortunes.
MotoGP interest followed for years, but Razgatlıoğlu repeatedly resisted, unwilling to gamble his prime without a credible pathway. Yamaha’s renewed technical push and Pramac’s factory-backed role finally provided that opening.
Yamaha challenge
Razgatlıoğlu will inherit a Yamaha project in transition.
Once the benchmark of the grid, Yamaha has been chasing Ducati’s aerodynamic and mechanical advantages, with Fabio Quartararo and Alex Rins struggling to turn speed into sustained results.
Pramac’s move from Ducati to Yamaha marks a pivotal shift, giving the Japanese manufacturer an expanded development base and a proven race-winning satellite structure.
Razgatlıoğlu’s early tests have already underlined both promise and challenge – adapting from heavier Superbikes to MotoGP prototypes defined by carbon brakes, extreme aerodynamics and unforgiving Michelin tires.
Learning tire management, electronic maps and the relentless intensity of MotoGP weekends will define his rookie season.
Why 2027 is the real target
Razgatlıoğlu’s confidence is rooted in timing.
MotoGP’s 2027 regulation overhaul is expected to fundamentally reshape the grid: smaller engines, tighter aerodynamic limits, the removal of ride-height devices and revised tire constructions.
The aim is clear – reduce speed, increase safety and pull manufacturers closer together.
For a rider whose strengths lie in braking, balance and corner speed, the changes could neutralize Ducati’s power-driven edge and reward adaptability over brute force.
Yamaha, along with Honda, stands to gain – and Razgatlıoğlu believes he can be at the sharp end when the reset arrives.
Marquez challenge
Marquez remains the sport’s defining figure.
His 2025 title with Ducati reaffirmed his ability to dominate with the right tools, blending aggression with experience in a way few can match.
Razgatlıoğlu knows the comparison is unavoidable – and welcomes it.
He is not promising miracles in 2026. Instead, he is laying out a trajectory: learn first, survive second, then attack.
If MotoGP’s next era delivers the close racing it promises, the idea of Razgatlıoğlu throwing his Yamaha down the inside of Marquez may no longer feel like ambition – but inevitability.
The latest Forza Motorsport launched in 2023 as a live service game, initially set to be filled out with regular monthly updates that add cars and tracks. This continued throughout its first year and a half, but updates have been more focused on restoring previous monthly content since a wave of layoffs hit core Xbox teams in July. Now, the developers behind the game have confirmed that support for the game is coming to an end.
Word about the shift in the service was buried in a year-in-review post, which featured only a brief mention of the change in plans.
“As our team shifts its focus toward delivering the best possible experience with Forza Horizon 6 in 2026, we do not plan to introduce new cars, tracks, features, or regular bug fixes for Forza Motorsport,” the statement says. “However, we will continue supporting the game by keeping online servers active, hosting special events and competitions, and reintroducing previously released Featured Tours and reward cars on a monthly basis, until all content is available for you to enjoy anytime.”
This is a bad sign for the continuation of the mainline, Gran Turismo-like Forza Motorsport franchise, but the spinoff Horizon series is set to continue with Forza Horizon 6 next year. Microsoft has released few details on what exactly that game will be, but we do know that it is set to be the first Horizon game set in Japan. That detail alone makes it our most anticipated racing game of the new year.
Via CarThrottle
Fred Smith’s love of cars comes from his fascination with auto racing. Unfortunately, that passion led him to daily drive a high-mileage, first-year Porsche Panamera. He is still thinking about the last lap of the 2011 Indianapolis 500.
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Speedway Motorsports officials, in recognition of exemplary performance and exceptional service on behalf of and its world-class facilities, recognized the 2025 recipients for the company’s O. Bruton Smith Award, Promoter of the Year, Speedway of the Year and the Acceleration Award.
Announcements were made during a company-wide town hall meeting this week as the industry-leading company wraps up a successful year hosting entertainment and motorsports events across the country.
Dover Motor Speedway’s Jim Hosfelt earned the 2025 O. Bruton Smith Award, while Bristol Motor Speedway President and General Manager Jerry Caldwell received Promoter of the Year honors. Las Vegas Motor Speedway was named Speedway of the Year award and Sonoma Raceway earned the fourth annual Acceleration Award.
“At Speedway Motorsports, our goal is to exceed expectations in sports and entertainment by delivering unforgettable moments at every touchpoint,” said Marcus Smith, president and CEO of Speedway Motorsports. “That mission is only possible because of the passion, dedication and effort our teams across the country bring to their work each day. It’s a privilege to celebrate the leaders and teammates across our footprint whose commitment fuels our momentum and helps transform every event into a truly remarkable experience for our fans.”
Dover Motor Speedway Vice President of Safety and Security, Jim Hosfelt, received the 2025 O. Bruton Smith Award.
Established 13 years ago to recognize one employee annually across all of Speedway Motorsports and its subsidiaries, the recipient of this prestigious award is someone who exhibits Speedway Motorsports’ founder O. Bruton Smith’s traits: character, enthusiasm, drive, a heart for helping others, respect and appreciation for team members, vision and determination. It is the company’s highest honor.
Hosfelt joined Dover Motor Speedway in 2014 to oversee the day-to-day security and event-time public safety at the facility. Shortly after Speedway Motorsports acquired Dover in 2021, Hosfelt added the title of Director of Safety and Security for Speedway Motorsports, working as a liaison for NASCAR and federal agencies at events across the company’s portfolio of properties.
Prior to his speedway tenure, the Cumberland, Md. native spent 25 years in law enforcement with the Dover Police Department, where he retired as Chief of Police.
Away from the track, Hosfelt serves as a coordinator for food distribution events conducted by the speedway with the Food Bank of Delaware. An Air Force veteran and graduate of the FBI National Academy, he was elected to seats on Dover City Council (2015-2017) and Kent County Levy Court (2017-2019).
“The contributions Jim makes, the relationships he has across the sport, thankfully it’s a low profile thing, but (public safety) is one of the most important things we do,” said Speedway Motorsports Chief Operating Officer Mike Burch. “We talk about ‘safe, clean and comfortable.’ He’s invaluable to making sure our fans from across the nation are safe when they come to our race tracks.”
“When we finished the transaction to acquire Dover Motorsports, we had no idea what an amazing fit our teams would be,” Smith added. “Jim, specifically, is just remarkable – how he is able to be everywhere and always deliver so professionally. It’s really impressive and he’s made a tremendous impact on our company.”
Recognized for his team’s effort around the Speedway Classic partnership with Major League Baseball and continued success in NASCAR and other secondary events, Bristol Motor Speedway President and General Manager Jerry Caldwell was named H.A. Humpy Wheeler Promoter of the Year for 2025. The annual award, named in honor of the legendary promoter who passed away in August, is chosen by the selection committee and given to the Speedway Motorsports general manager who best displayed the creativity, innovation, leadership and execution that are fundamental to Speedway Motorsports’ way of doing business.
A first-of-its-kind event in baseball, the Speedway Classic saw the highest ticket sales for a single event in the history of Major League Baseball with over 91,000 tickets sold.
“Humpy was known as the PT Barnum of motorsports,” Smith said. “He inspired a lot of people to think outside the box. To name Jerry as this year’s promoter is very fitting as he’s done a great job in leading the team to phenomenal success this year. Bristol has a reputation where people aren’t going to question if something like building a baseball stadium inside a race track can happen – they know it can.”
Las Vegas Motor Speedway received Speedway of the Year recognition, edging out 10 state-of-the-art Speedway Motorsports entertainment complexes to earn top honors 11 of the last 14 years. The award was presented to LVMS President Patrick Lindsay, who replaced the facility’s longtime head Chris Powell upon his retirement earlier this year. The award recognizes the Speedway Motorsports facility with the best overall performance during 2025 in such aspects as fan friendliness, attendance, financial performance, sponsor relations and creativity.
“It’s not easy to grow on an already fantastic performance,” Smith said. “Patrick has carried the torch well and it’s great to have his leadership. It’s a huge effort because everything that happens — from corporate sales to operations and logistics — this team has done a great job and delivered every time.”
For the second year in a row, Sonoma Raceway was honored with the Acceleration Award, which recognizes a Speedway Motorsports subsidiary for significant year-over-year gains across multiple performance measures. The award was accepted by Sonoma Raceway Executive Vice President and General Manager Brian Flynn.
Sonoma Raceway delivered a strong performance in 2025, driven by growing track rental activity in the raceway’s premium Turn 11 facility, along with strategic cost-efficiency initiatives that enhanced operations across the property while maintaining a high-quality fan experience.
“We had multiple speedways that made significant improvements, but we had one that really outdid themselves year-over-year,” Burch said. “They continue to bolster the fan experience, drive down expenses and find new ways to use the speedway to serve their clients.”
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