Michael Jordan’s win streak in the NASCAR antitrust litigation could be coming to an end.
On Friday, a three-judge panel on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit held an oral argument in the Lewis F. Powell, Jr. U.S. Courthouse in Richmond, Va., on whether a trial judge correctly granted preliminary injunctions for 23XI Racing, which Jordan owns with Denny Hamlin, and Front Row Motorsports in their case against NASCAR.
Judges Paul V. Niemeyer, G. Steven Agee and Stephanie Thacker heard the dueling arguments, and their remarks indicated they found the injunctive relief problematic and signaled they might vacate it.
Jeffrey Kessler of Winston & Strawn delivered the oral argument for Jordan’s group. Kessler is arguably the most prominent sports litigator in the country, having represented college athletes, Tom Brady and U.S. women’s national team players in antitrust, labor and contractual disputes. NASCAR retained Christopher S. Yates of Latham & Watkins to present its case. Yates, a highly accomplished sports litigator in his own right, recently led U.S. Soccer to an antitrust trial victory over the North American Soccer League.
To be clear, the hearing was not on the larger issues presented by the case, but on the narrow question of whether U.S. District Judge Kenneth D. Bell errantly granted injunctive relief last December. The relief prohibits NASCAR from denying 23XI and Front Row the same terms offered to charter teams but with a twist that seemed to bother the trio of judges: 23XI and Front Row, unlike NASCAR charter teams, weren’t required to sign a mutual release of claims.
During the hearing, Thacker opined that “this is the first time . . . in all the history of contract law” that an injunction mandates what—NASCAR insists—is essentially a new contract. 23XI Racing and Front Row contractually receive the benefits of a charter without having to sign a release. Kessler countered that “there are very few adjudicated monopolization cases” and thus there is a shortage of decisions to cite.
Niemeyer seemed especially skeptical of the plaintiffs’ viewpoint. He said he understands Kessler’s contention that there are legitimate antitrust claims against NASCAR. The case centers on 23XI Racing and Front Row’s assertion that charters, which guarantee teams a starting position in NASCAR-sanctioned races while restricting their capacity to compete in other circuits, run afoul of antitrust law. NASCAR, as depicted by the plaintiffs, has too much control over the “buying” of drivers and teams’ services in premier stock racing series.
But Niemeyer reasoned that the logic for the injunction breaks down when viewing the charter’s mutual releases as an exchange for teams getting what they really want: the chance to participate in NASCAR races as charter teams.
The judge surmised that once teams sign the release, they aren’t injured in a legal sense since they’re able to race as chartered teams. In other words, if a team doesn’t want to race as a charter team because the team sees the charter as illegal, it simply shouldn’t sign and should then sue. Under this logic, 23XI Racing and Front Row want the benefits of the charter and the chance to sue.
Kessler disagreed, saying the relevant harm is that teams “are selling our services to NASCAR,” an organization Kessler says sets the price paid to teams and has “set below competitive market prices.” With the NCAA understandably on Kessler’s mind as he and other counsel wait for U.S. District Judge Claudia Wilken to approve the House settlement, Kessler compared NASCAR to the NCAA. While NASCAR allegedly sets prices for teams too low, Kessler said the NCAA has set prices at $0 for the services and NIL provided by college athletes. The injury in both instances, Kessler explained, “is you are getting too little.”
The judge suggested that Kessler wasn’t addressing the specific point at issue. Kessler was told it’s one thing to not sign the charter, which contains releases, and sue. But it’s another to sign the charter and get to sue because a trial judge has modified the charter for 23XI Racing and Front Row—but no other teams—by removing the releases.
Agee’s comments focused on the fact that the hearing is only about the injunctive relief, and he noted that Bell (the trial judge) made no findings of facts on other topics. Kessler was told he might ultimately prove the case at trial, which is scheduled for Dec. 1, but the three-judge panel is only weighing the lawfulness of Bell mandating NASCAR sign contracts with 23XI Racing and Front Row with modified terms.
Perhaps sensing the panel may be leaning in NASCAR’s direction, Kessler warned the three judges that vacating the injunctive relief “will cause irreparable harm.” He repeatedly said this part of the year “is the middle” of the NASCAR season and the trial isn’t until December. “We might lose our drivers in the interim,” Kessler said. He also said there would be injury to third parties, including Stewart-Haas Racing which sold charters via the injunction. Stewart-Haas “will have nothing . . . no drivers . . . in the middle of the [NASCAR] season” if Bell’s ruling is set aside.
Yates disagreed with Kessler. He stressed that Bell’s written order indicated he had “no opinion” on the merits of the case outside the releases. As Yates told it, Kessler is “challenging” an ordinary and competitive term (releases) in contracts found in American pro sports. The gist of a release is that if an athlete or, in the NASCAR context, team is able to compete in a professional sports competition and receive all the financial and reputational benefits that such eligibility carries, the athlete/team must accept the terms of the eligibility contract. One term is that they waive the right to later sue the league.
“If you want to race in NASCAR as a charter team, you have to agree to the release,” and if a team doesn’t want to agree to the release, it can compete as an open (non-chartered) team, Yates said.
Yates also argued that NASCAR and charter teams are hurt by the injunction. He maintained that NASCAR is “forced” into a contractual relationship with a counterpart with whom it doesn’t want to be in contract under the judicially compelled terms. As for charter teams, Yates said they suffer because they “lose” opportunities for compensation. The money pie for charter teams is divided into smaller pieces with 23XI and Front Row included. Yates said 23XI Racing and Front Row’s case boils down to “they are trying to have their cake and eat it too.”
The judges urged the two sides to take mediation seriously, and both Kessler and Yates pledged to do so. Yates, though, said, “we’re not going to rewrite the charter contract” to accommodate 23XI Racing and Front Row.
There is no timetable on when the Fourth Circuit will decide, but it will likely be within weeks. The fact that the judges seemed skeptical of the plaintiffs’ position doesn’t guarantee they’ll rule for NASCAR. Judges often use oral argument hearings to test their understanding of cases and accompanying arguments. Sometimes judges rule differently than how they sounded in a hearing. Still, it was a good day for NASCAR in court.
Mash The Gas Accelerates Into Its Sixth Season of NASCAR Coverage
Entering our sixth season reflects the consistency, credibility, and trust we’ve built with NASCAR fans, partners, and the sport we cover week in and week out.”
— Kevin Batstone, Co-Host, Mash The Gas
DAYTONA BEACH, FL, UNITED STATES, January 8, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ — Mash The Gas, the premier podcast dedicated to NASCAR Cup Series coverage, announces the launch of its sixth season, premiering [February 2nd, 2026]. Entering its most established year yet, Mash The Gas continues to deliver trusted race analysis, insider insight, and engaging weekly discussion for NASCAR fans, industry professionals, and brand partners nationwide.
Over the past five seasons, Mash The Gas has consistently ranked as a Top 5 “Must-Listen” NASCAR Podcast according to Feedspot, a distinction that reflects the show’s credibility, consistency, and growing influence within the motorsports media space.
Mash The Gas is hosted by Jeff Davis, Kevin Batstone, and NASCARSky. Season 6 marks NASCARSky’s second full-time season with the program, further strengthening the chemistry and on-air dynamic that has resonated with listeners. Her NASCAR-focused editorial work and influential social media presence bring a modern, fan-forward perspective to weekly coverage.
Kevin Batstone is a longtime podcaster and media professional, also serving as the host of the successful Discussion Combustion podcast and Happy Friday America, both known for consistent production and loyal audiences. Alongside Jeff Davis, Batstone’s experience anchors Mash The Gas as a polished and reliable NASCAR platform.
Together, the hosts deliver a focused mix of race recaps, pre- and post-race analysis, hot-topic debates, and interviews with drivers, media members, and industry insiders, establishing Mash The Gas as a trusted voice throughout the NASCAR season.
*Season 6 Highlights*
* Launch Date: Season 6 debuts [February 2nd, 2026], beginning with coverage of The Clash and building toward the Daytona 500 * Weekly Coverage: In-depth race previews, post-race breakdowns, and featured guest interviews. * Growing Reach: Expanding listenership across YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, iHeart, and all podcast platforms
Sponsorship Opportunities
As a consistently Top 5-ranked NASCAR podcast, Mash The Gas offers brands a proven platform to connect with one of sports’ most loyal fanbases. Opportunities include:
* Custom host-read ad placements * Branded race preview and recap segments * Social media amplification * Season-long partnership integrations
*Media & Industry Collaboration*
With a history of covering marquee races and welcoming respected industry voices, Mash The Gas continues to pursue collaboration with NASCAR Media, teams, and content partners to amplify the sport’s stories and engage fans.
Entering its sixth season, Mash The Gas remains committed to delivering credible, entertaining, and insightful NASCAR coverage. Season 6 represents the show’s most refined and impactful year to date.
Mash The Gas Podcast Discussion Combustion Productions mashthegaspodcast@gmail.com Visit us on social media: Instagram Facebook YouTube X
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LAWRENCE COUNTY, Ark. (KAIT) – The Walnut Ridge Fire Department and the Hoxie Fire Department are responding to a fire at the former Cox Motorsports building.
According to Lawrence County Sheriff Tony Waldrupe, dispatch received a call at 7:23 p.m. about a fire in a commercial building on the intersection of Highway 63 and Lawrence County 701.
He identified it as the former Cox Motorsports building.
Sheriff Waldrupe said firemen reported heavy smoke when they arrived.
No injuries have been reported at this time.
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Steve Phelps became NASCAR’s first commissioner in March 2025 after previously serving as its president since 2018. However, he will be leaving that position ahead of the 2026 season, and there aren’t any plans to line up a suitable replacement anytime soon. The duties he served will instead be shared by other executives. But what led to this sudden turn of events?
The core cause of his resignation is the inflammatory text messages that were revealed during the antitrust lawsuit proceedings between NASCAR and 23XI Racing/Front Row Motorsports. Phelps had spoken badly about Richard Childress, one of the most respected veterans of the sport, and offensively insulted him in these messages. It led to widespread disruption of NASCAR’s image.
Former driver Kenny Wallace spoke about this in a recent video posted to his YouTube channel, detailing how Phelps might have been NASCAR’s scapegoat to fix everything wrong. He pointed out the statement that Bass Pro Shops CEO Johnny Morris made after the messages came to light. Morris, a longtime friend of Childress and a reputed sponsor in NASCAR, hadn’t sounded very happy in it.
He wrote, “…Such blatant disrespect would probably not sit well with the fans – such a commissioner most likely wouldn’t, or shouldn’t keep his or her job for very long!” This is where Wallace sees the silver lining. He emphasized that Phelps is gone now because NASCAR doesn’t want to antagonize the most powerful and wealthy people in the industry.
Bass Pro Shops has been a long-time supporter of NASCAR, sponsoring Richard Childress Racing since 1998. Firing him was the only way to fix the image issue the promotion was suffering from and move forward.
Wallace added, “So, NASCAR has an image issue. I don’t think Steve Phelps could have walked around the pit area. Could you imagine Steve Phelps the first week at Daytona? How could he have walked around the garage area?” It surely would have been as awkward for the drivers and crew members as it would have been for Phelps himself. In that light, perhaps, this is only for the good.
Wallace was also keen to bring across his opinion that the good work that Phelps did with NASCAR must not go unappreciated because of the one bad thing he did. Again, his resignation was only a plausible outcome of all the fiasco that went down over the past couple of years. Fresh beginnings await the sport with the 2026 season on the horizon.
NASCAR star Kyle Larson has announced that he will be canceling his gym membership after Hendrick Motorsports struck a partnership with Atrium Health, with a new 35,000-square-foot facility set to open on the team’s campus.
Hendrick vice chairman Jeff Gordon announced the exciting new partnership on Thursday, with athletes, crew members, and staff set to receive access to the stunning health facility. Larson reposted Gordon’s post and wrote on X: “Canceling my gym membership now.”
Larson won the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series and is set to be in even better shape heading into next season. Atrium Health already supports more than 20 professional and collegiate teams, over 100 high schools across North Carolina and South Carolina, and now, Hendrick Motorsports.
The new Atrium Health Motorsports Athletic Center will be located on the team’s campus in Concord. The facility includes a “high-performance gym with the latest training equipment, modern locker rooms, a team operations center for race-day competition operations, a nutrition area, athletic meeting and film rooms, and dedicated spaces for physical therapy, hydrotherapy, and recovery.”
The facility also has a dedicated space for sports science research, and features a closed-loop pit stop practice circuit that can accommodate two teams, allowing Hendrick to perfect its craft. In return, Atrium Health will have logo placement on driver fire suits, crew apparel, athletic training gear, and track equipment.
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“The demands of NASCAR are different from any other sport – the schedule is relentless, the margins are extremely tight, and performance is about preparation as much as it is execution,” Gordon said. “This new facility allows our coaches and staff to work side by side with Atrium Health clinicians, ensuring every aspect of training, recovery, and readiness is aligned.
“Everything in this space is designed around our athletes and our teammates. At the end of the day, it always comes back to people, and this new partnership reflects a shared commitment to supporting them the right way every day.”
Hendrick Motorsports owner Rick Hendrick added, “People are the foundation of our organization, and supporting their health and performance is essential to our success. Our new partnership with Atrium Health brings best-in-class clinical and performance resources directly to our campus.
“There’s no facility like this in the world of auto racing. It’s a game-changer. The Atrium Health Motorsports Athletic Center will help our athletes perform at their best and give our teammates convenient access to high-quality health care.
“We value the shared commitment to people that defines both of our organizations, and we look forward to a truly incredible collaboration in the coming years.”
Larson is extremely excited about the new facility, but he isn’t the only driver who will benefit from it. Chase Elliott, William Byron, and Alex Bowman are also on the Hendrick Motorsports roster.
In 2026, Honda will newly enter the FIA*2 Formula One World Championship (F1) as a factory power unit supplier to the Aston Martin Aramco Formula One Team (AMAF1). Honda’s motorsports operations arm, Honda Racing Corporation (HRC), will be responsible for the core activities of F1 participation, including the development, manufacturing, and trackside operation of the power unit (PU).
The 2025 season marked the final year in which Honda provided technical support and marketing collaboration as a team partner to Oracle Red Bull Racing and the Visa Cash App Racing Bulls. At the final round of the season, the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, Max Verstappen achieved a pole-to-win result, providing a fitting conclusion to the eight-year partnership. From 2026 onward, Honda will take on a new challenge together with AMAF1, aiming once again for the pinnacle of the sport.
In Japan-domestic racing, during the 2025 All-Japan Super Formula Championship*3, TEAM MUGEN driver Ayumu Iwasa claimed the Drivers’ Championship. Meanwhile, DOCOMO TEAM DANDELION RACING, represented by Tadasuke Makino and Kakunoshin Ohta, secured the Teams’ Championship. The team will once again target a double title in the 2026 season.
In the SUPER GT Series*4, STANLEY TEAM KUNIMITSU, with Naoki Yamamoto and Tadasuke Makino, finished second overall in the 2025 season. For 2026, Honda will introduce the all-new HRC PRELUDE-GT, based on the Prelude.
From an operational standpoint, Honda will appoint a new Technical Director to provide cross-team support for the five teams campaigning the HRC PRELUDE-GT. This structure will strengthen collaboration among teams and drivers while improving the quality of technical feedback to HRC’s Sakura development division. In addition, Car No. 8 will compete under the newly named Team HRC ARTA MUGEN, with multiple dedicated HRC engineers assigned, further deepening HRC’s direct involvement. Through these initiatives, Honda aims to reclaim the championship title.
Furthermore, Yuto Nomura, champion of the All-Japan Super Formula Lights Championship, will step up to Super Formula with San-Ei Gen with B-Max, and will also compete in the SUPER GT GT500 class with Astemo REAL RACING.
In North America, Honda will continue supplying power units to five teams competing in the IndyCar Series through Honda Racing Corporation USA (HRC US). In the IMSA*5 WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, two Acura ARX-06 entries supplied by HRC US will compete in the top-tier GTP class. Continuing its partnership with Meyer Shank Racing, Car No. 93 will again see HRC US engineers responsible for key aspects of team operations, further accelerating both human resource development and technical advancement.
In addition, Kakunoshin Ohta, who began competing in IMSA last year, will once again contest two events with the team this season, including the 24 Hours of Daytona.
