Connect with us
https://yoursportsnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/call-to-1.png

Motorsports

Judge Delivers Scathing Reality Check as NASCAR’s Charter War With Michael Jordan’s 23XI Turns Volatile

Tensions exploded in a Charlotte, North Carolina, courtroom on Tuesday, June 24, as NASCAR’s bitter charter battle with Michael Jordan’s 23XI Racing reached a boiling point. Twelve NASCAR Cup Series teams fought desperately to shield financial records from the sanctioning body, calling disclosure “catastrophic” for competitive survival. The hearing exposed raw nerves in NASCAR’s franchise […]

Published

on


Tensions exploded in a Charlotte, North Carolina, courtroom on Tuesday, June 24, as NASCAR’s bitter charter battle with Michael Jordan’s 23XI Racing reached a boiling point. Twelve NASCAR Cup Series teams fought desperately to shield financial records from the sanctioning body, calling disclosure “catastrophic” for competitive survival.

The hearing exposed raw nerves in NASCAR’s franchise model war. U.S. District Judge Kenneth Bell’s closing remarks cut through the legal sparring.

Judge Kenneth Bell Blasts Legal ‘Arsonists’ in Fiery Courtroom 23XI vs. NASCAR Battle

After nearly two hours of arguments over financial secrecy, Bell’s frustration erupted. “I am amazed at the effort going into burning this house down over everybody’s heads,” Judge Bell declared. “But I’m the fire marshal and I will be here in December if need be.”

The “house” refers to NASCAR itself. Teams fear revealing driver salaries, sponsorship deals, and manufacturer payments would cripple their operations. Attorney Adam Ross argued NASCAR’s demand for 11 years of records crossed a red line.

“It would be absolutely devastating to these race teams if their competitors were able to find out sponsorships on the cars, driver salaries, and all revenue streams,” Ross said. “It cannot make its way into the public realm. … NASCAR has gone a step too far.”

NASCAR claims it needs the data to counter 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports’ antitrust lawsuit alleging economic unfairness. Yet Bell questioned the scope, asking NASCAR’s attorney, “Why is not enough to know it costs X to run a car?”

Anonymized Compromise Fails to Douse Flames of Distrust Within NASCAR Teams

In a partial victory for NASCAR teams, Bell ordered limited disclosure through a neutral accountant. Organizations must provide anonymized per-car averages for revenue, costs, and profits since 2014, far narrower than NASCAR’s original subpoena. The data will hide team identities, accessible only to attorneys and experts.

But trust remains filled with tension. Ross emphasized teams feel “torn to pieces” by NASCAR’s request, noting they compete directly for sponsors. He warned redactions wouldn’t prevent identification, and said, “This is the opposite of what they want – all the teams are torn to pieces that NASCAR wants them to disclose this information, and they don’t want to upset NASCAR.”

The hearing followed Bell’s refusal to dismiss NASCAR’s explosive counterclaim, labeling the teams (23XI and FRM) as an “illegal cartel” aiming at Jordan’s business manager, Curtis Polk, during charter negotiations.

NASCAR cited Polk’s alleged boycott threats and cited a quote from Benjamin Franklin to teams: “We must all hang together, or most assuredly we shall all hang separately.”

“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,” Jeffrey Kessler, an attorney representing the teams, said.

With a December trial date looming, teams face agonizing calculations. Protecting secrets risks judicial wrath. Disclosure could arm competitors, including NASCAR itself, which now owns teams.





Link

Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Motorsports

Jenson Button Named Grand Marshal For 2025 Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion

Formula 1 World Champion and endurance racing superstar Jenson Button has been named Grand Marshal of the 51st Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion, set for August 13-16 at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca. The renowned British driver, known for his versatility and style both on and off the track, will headline the annual gathering that ranks among […]

Published

on


Formula 1 World Champion and endurance racing superstar Jenson Button has been named Grand Marshal of the 51st Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion, set for August 13-16 at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca. The renowned British driver, known for his versatility and style both on and off the track, will headline the annual gathering that ranks among the most prestigious vintage racing events in North America.

For fans of high-performance heritage, luxury automotive culture, and motorsports history, Button’s appointment brings added star power to an event already rich in provenance. With over 400 meticulously prepared, period-correct race cars competing across 14 race groups – including the eagerly-anticipated debut of a dedicated IROC class – this year’s Rolex Reunion promises a rare blend of authenticity, speed, and celebrity.

“I am incredibly honored to be named Grand Marshal of this legendary event,” said Button, who now lives in California. “This is the ultimate gathering of motorsports history and icons from the racing world, and I couldn’t be prouder to play a part.”

As Grand Marshal, Button will take part in a variety of ceremonial and fan-facing activities, including the opening ceremonies, autograph sessions, and guest commentary during the Mario Andretti Trophy race – an F1-themed battle that’s part of the official Formula 1 75th Anniversary celebrations.

Button will also suit up and compete behind the wheel in several groups. He’ll campaign his 1967 Alfa Romeo GT Jr., a 2011 Porsche 997 GT3 Cup car, and a 1996 IROC Pontiac Firebird in the Unser Family Cup IROC category – a crowd favorite expected to channel the golden era of cross-discipline motorsport rivalries.

Best known for his 2009 Formula 1 World Drivers’ Championship with Brawn GP, Button enjoyed a 17-year F1 career with 15 wins and nearly 1,000 points scored. Today, he races for Cadillac Hertz Team JOTA in the FIA World Endurance Championship, and recently celebrated a podium finish at Interlagos, Brazil. His motorsport repertoire spans nearly every major series, from the Rolex 24 at Daytona to the NASCAR Cup Series and the Race of Champions.

This year’s Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion is built around the global celebration of Formula 1’s 75th anniversary. A highlight of the weekend will be daily demonstrations and races featuring 25 historic F1 cars from the 1966–1985 non-turbo era – machines that defined Grand Prix racing’s most visceral decades.

The paddock display will be equally compelling, offering fans a close-up look at 30 rare and important Formula 1 cars. Among them: a 1956 Maserati 250F, the legendary 1966 Eagle Mk1, a turbocharged 1986 Benetton-BMW B186, and – most recently – a 2024 McLaren-Mercedes MCL38, the Constructors’ Championship winner driven by Lando Norris.

By blending championship-caliber driving talent like Button with a historic grid of motorsport legends, the Rolex Reunion bridges past and present with exquisite authenticity. As an experiential lifestyle event, it attracts collectors, connoisseurs, and vintage racing fans alike – united by a shared passion for high-performance machines and timeless design.

Whether you come for the cars, the competition, or the culture, this year’s Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion promises to be one of the most dynamic yet.

Image Source: Friends of Laguna Seca



Link

Continue Reading

Motorsports

How to Watch the NASCAR Cup Series Iowa Corn 350 Powered by Ethanol

The NASCAR Cup Series heads to Iowa Speedway for the Iowa Corn 350 Powered by Ethanol on Sunday, August 3. Iowa Speedway hosted its inaugural NASCAR Cup Series event one year ago, with Ryan Blaney taking the win. Cody Scanlan/The Register / USA TODAY NETWORK Sunday’s Iowa Corn 350 Powered by Ethanol will be the […]

Published

on


The NASCAR Cup Series heads to Iowa Speedway for the Iowa Corn 350 Powered by Ethanol on Sunday, August 3. Iowa Speedway hosted its inaugural NASCAR Cup Series event one year ago, with Ryan Blaney taking the win.

Austin Dillon (3) and Justin Haley (51) race down the track during the Iowa Corn 350 on June 16, 2024, at Iowa Speedway.

Cody Scanlan/The Register / USA TODAY NETWORK

Sunday’s Iowa Corn 350 Powered by Ethanol will be the first race of the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series season televised on the USA Network. Outside of four races on NBC, USA Network will televise the remainder of the Cup Series schedule. The Iowa Corn 350 Powered by Ethanol takes the green flag at 3:30 p.m. ET.

Practice and qualifying for the NASCAR Cup Series at Iowa will be televised on truTV. Practice begins at 1:30 p.m. ET on Saturday, August 2, with qualifying following at 2:40 p.m. ET.

nascar xfinity series at iowa speedway

Jun 15, 2024; Newton, Iowa, USA; NASCAR Xfinity Series driver Riley Herbst (98) and NASCAR Xfinity Series driver Sam Mayer (1) lead the restart with two to go at Iowa Speedway. / Reese Strickland-Imagn Images

The NASCAR Xfinity Series and ARCA Menards Series join the Cup Series at Iowa Speedway this weekend.

The HyVee Perks 250 for the NASCAR Xfinity Series takes the green flag at 4:30 p.m. ET on Saturday, August 2, with coverage on The CW Network. Practice and qualifying for the Xfinity Series start at 11 a.m. ET on Saturday, with coverage on the CW App.

If you are having difficulty finding The CW Network, click here for a station guide from The CW, which will show you the tune-in info for The CW in your region. All you have to do is enter your zip code into the station guide.

The ARCA Menards Series Atlas 150 kicks off the weekend on Friday, August 1. Friday’s ARCA Menards Series event starts at 7 p.m. ET, with coverage on FS1.

Friday, August 1

Time

Session

TV

7 p.m. ET

ARCA Menards Series Atlas 150

FS1

Saturday, August 2

Time

Session

TV

11 a.m. ET

NASCAR Xfinity Series Practice

CW App

12:05 p.m. ET

NASCAR Xfinity Series Qualifying

CW App

1:30 p.m. ET

NASCAR Cup Series Practice

truTV

2:40 p.m. ET

NASCAR Cup Series Qualifying

truTV

4:30 p.m. ET

NASCAR Xfinity Series HyVee Perks 250

The CW Network

Sunday, August 3

Time

Session

TV

3:30 p.m. ET

NASCAR Cup Series Iowa Corn 350 Powered by Ethanol

USA Network

Recommended Articles:



Link

Continue Reading

Motorsports

Richard Childress Racing responds to NASCAR suspension of Austin Hill, names replacement driver

Richard Childress Racing (RCR) has responded to NASCAR suspending Austin Hill for his incident with Aric Almirola during the Xfinity Series race at Indianapolis this past weekend. RCR said it will not appeal the suspension and revealed who will replace Hill this weekend. “Richard Childress Racing will not appeal the penalty NASCAR issued to the […]

Published

on


Richard Childress Racing (RCR) has responded to NASCAR suspending Austin Hill for his incident with Aric Almirola during the Xfinity Series race at Indianapolis this past weekend. RCR said it will not appeal the suspension and revealed who will replace Hill this weekend.

“Richard Childress Racing will not appeal the penalty NASCAR issued to the No. 21 team following the NASCAR Xfinity Series race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway,” the team said. “We remain focused on winning a championship with Austin Hill in 2025. Austin Dillon will race the No. 21 Chevrolet at Iowa Speedway.”

Austin Hill, the driver for the No. 21 Chevrolet for RCR, will miss this weekend’s event at Iowa Speedway. He hit Aric Almirola during the 91st lap of the Pennzoil 250. After Almirola bumped Hill into a slide in Turn 3, Hill hit Almirola’s right-rear fender, turning the No. 19 Toyota into the Turn 4 retaining wall.

Austin Hill says his hit on Aric Almirola wasn’t intentional

After the race, Almirola reacted to being hit by Hill. “It was definitely intentional,” Almirola told The CW, per NASCAR.com. “He (Hill) blocked me three times. I finally got him loose in (Turn) 3. He had damage on the nose, so he was really slow in the corners. It was time to go. I mean, we’re coming to nine to go, and the leaders are starting to put a gap on us, so it’s time to go. I got him loose, and he just turned left and hooked me in the right rear.”

Hill wasn’t available for a comment after the race, but he told his team that the hit wasn’t intentional. “I couldn’t hang onto it. I did not try to right-rear him,” Hill told his team on the radio. “He had me out of control and I drove back to the left to keep it off the wall. I’m not sure what the hell he thought just running me over in 3 though!”



Link

Continue Reading

Motorsports

Audi names Revolut as new title sponsor for debut F1 season

Audi has announced a new title sponsorship for its debut Formula 1 season in 2026, with financial techology company Revolut joining the sport for the first time. The current Sauber team will become the Audi works outfit from next season, and Revolut will replace Stake as title partner. Audi describes the deal as a “landmark […]

Published

on


Audi has announced a new title sponsorship for its debut Formula 1 season in 2026, with financial techology company Revolut joining the sport for the first time.

The current Sauber team will become the Audi works outfit from next season, and Revolut will replace Stake as title partner. Audi describes the deal as a “landmark agreement” as it makes the announcement ahead of its entry, attracting what was ranked as Europe’s most valuable technology company last year, with a valuation of $45 billion.

“Audi is entering Formula 1 with a clear ambition: to use the platform as a technologically relevant and economically sustainable investment in the future of the Audi brand,” CEO Gernot Dollner said. “We firmly believe in the success of our project, which we are approaching with a realistic attitude and a mindset of continuous improvement.

“In Revolut, we have found a partner that shares our ambitions and attitude. Formula 1 is a global stage that offers us the opportunity to reach new target groups together and generate enthusiasm for our products.”

Revolut Business is set to be extensively integrated into the team’s financial operations, and Revolut customers – of which there are currently over 60 million – will also get exclusive benefits as part of the deal, according to Audi.

“With Revolut, we have found a partner that shares our core ethos of innovation and relentless ambition,” team principal Jonathan Wheatley said. “This is more than a brand fit; it is a strategic alliance, engineered to challenge conventions in motorsport. From 2026, Revolut’s digital-first solutions will power key areas of our operations while also redefining how fans and communities engage with our team – delivering a seamless and engaging experience on and off the track.”

Revolut CEO Nik Storonsky says the two brands are focused on trying to disrupt the established order in their respective fields, with F1 viewed as the ideal platform to tell the fintech company’s story.

“This is a monumental partnership for Revolut and the future Audi F1 Team,” Storonsky said. “We’re accelerating towards 100 million customers, and we’ll be bringing them into Formula 1 with unforgettable experiences at a pivotal time for the sport.

“As Revolut continues to challenge the status quo in global finance, the future Audi F1 Team is set to do the same in motorsport. With a shared outlook, global ambition and relentless drive for progress, this partnership will define what’s possible in Formula 1.”



Link

Continue Reading

Motorsports

BREAKING NEWS: NASCAR Suspends Austin Hill

Austin Hill has been suspended for one race in the NASCAR Xfinity Series after intentionally right-rear hooking Aric Almirola at high speed on the Indianapolis oval. The move drew instant scrutiny, and now, NASCAR has made a firm statement. Hill, known for his aggressive style, will sit out Iowa, be replaced by Austin Dillon, and […]

Published

on


Austin Hill has been suspended for one race in the NASCAR Xfinity Series after intentionally right-rear hooking Aric Almirola at high speed on the Indianapolis oval. The move drew instant scrutiny, and now, NASCAR has made a firm statement. Hill, known for his aggressive style, will sit out Iowa, be replaced by Austin Dillon, and lose every single one of his 21 playoff points — potentially dropping him from a top seed to the 12th and final playoff spot.

  • Why did NASCAR feel Hill’s move warranted a harsher penalty than others this season?
  • How does losing over 30 projected playoff points change his title chances?
  • Why was Christopher Bell not penalized for a similar-looking incident?
  • And what does this say about NASCAR’s consistency on suspensions?

With five races left in the regular season, Hill still has time to make noise — but he’s now playing with fire. The playoff road just got much harder, and his past on-track behavior may finally be catching up to him. NASCAR has made it clear: right-rear hooks at high-speed ovals will not be tolerated, no matter the name on the windshield. What do you think — did NASCAR get it right? Or did they overreach with this penalty? Let us know in the comments.

Watch also:



Link

Continue Reading

Motorsports

Nascar closes TNT run with 2.5m viewers at IMS

TNT finishes five-race run with  average viewership of 2.06m  F1 now averaging 1.37m viewers through 2025 season, overtaking IndyCar (1.27m viewers) Nascar has closed its five-race run on TNT Sports with 2.45 million viewers at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway (IMS). That represents a year-over-year (YoY) audience decrease of 32.5 per cent but last year’s Brickyard […]

Published

on


  • TNT finishes five-race run with  average viewership of 2.06m 
  • F1 now averaging 1.37m viewers through 2025 season, overtaking IndyCar (1.27m viewers)

Nascar has closed its five-race run on TNT Sports with 2.45 million viewers at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway (IMS).

That represents a year-over-year (YoY) audience decrease of 32.5 per cent but last year’s Brickyard 400 aired on NBC, which makes for a slightly skewed comparison.

In fact, last weekend’s race at IMS was the highest audience achieved by TNT in its five-race package, bringing its average viewership to 2.06 million for the full run. This falls just below the 2.1 million average viewers on Prime Video, but it is clear that both of Nascar’s new broadcast partners have brought similar levels of performance.

Notably, these new partners have been a hit with younger audiences and TNT continued that trend last weekend. Viewers between the ages of 18 and 34 increased 96 per cent compared to the 2024 Cup Series average on cable.

The 2025 Nascar Cup Series season is now averaging 2.75 million viewers in the US through 22 regular season races.


Nascar was the best-performing motorsport property last weekend on the US viewership front, although Formula One did manage an average viewership of 1.4 million for the race-only portion of the Belgian Grand Prix on ESPN.

That said, Nascar’s news release confirming its own average viewership last weekend also points out that Formula One averaged 1.08 million viewers for the full broadcast (which contained an 80-minute rain delay). This is not the first time Nascar has pulled that move this season.

Nascar is evidently mindful about Formula One’s viewership gains, especially as the Belgian Grand Prix on ESPN represents a 27.3 per cent YoY increase on last year’s edition. Since the Formula One season started, Nascar is averaging 2.32 million viewers per race compared to Formula One’s 1.37 million viewers.

Elsewhere, IndyCar continues to struggle with the increased competition across the board as 734,000 viewers tuned in on Fox for Álex Palou’s eighth win of the season at Laguna Seca.

Palou’s historic season may be contributing to a degree of audience apathy, but IndyCar failing to exceed one million viewers for six consecutive races on commercial television points to a disappointing return.

However, this year’s Laguna Seca viewership is a 301 per cent increase on last year’s race, which only recorded 183,000 viewers on CNBC. It is also the highest audience recorded at Laguna Seca since it returned to the IndyCar schedule in 2019.

IndyCar is now averaging 1.27 million viewers through 14 races.


Related posts:



Link

Continue Reading

Most Viewed Posts

Trending