What is all the fighting about? Charters, which are at the heart of NASCAR’s business model. Having one is vital to a team’s survival.

The legal wrangling is only making the the charters skyrocket in value. When Spire Motorsports debuted in 2019, it had bought a charter for $6 million. Now, one of Spire’s founders brokered the now-disputed deal for Ware to sell one of his two charters to Legacy for $45 million.

Johnson is not enjoying the legal brawling, including the higher-profile antitrust fight. He called on those parties to settle.

“I’m just sitting back watching it all play out, learning a lot about the legal process and the amount of injunctions and appeals that can take place,” Johnson said. “It’s a big game of chess and I’m watching all the strategy that goes into it all.

“I would love to see a settlement of some kind. I really don’t think that getting into a knock-down, drag-out lawsuit is good for anybody.”

The NASCAR lawsuit

23XI and FRM filed a federal antitrust suit against NASCAR last year after they were the only two organizations out of 15 to reject NASCAR’s extension offer on charters.

The case has a Dec. 1 trial date, but in the meantime, the two teams are fighting to be recognized as chartered for the current season, which has 16 races left. A charter guarantees one of the 40 spots in the field each week, but also a base amount of money paid out each week.

Jordan and FRM owner Bob Jenkins won an injunction to recognize 23XI and FRM as chartered for the season, but the ruling was overturned on appeal earlier this month. Both teams were set to be stripped of a combined six charters on Wednesday, which would force them to compete as “open cars.”

Three-time Daytona 500 winner Denny Hamlin co-owns 23XI with Jordan and said they are prepared to send Tyler Reddick, Bubba Wallace and Riley Herbst to the track each week as open teams. But they still filed for a restraining order Monday and claimed that through discovery they learned NASCAR upon revocation planned to immediately begin the process of selling the six charters which would put “plaintiffs in irreparable jeopardy of never getting their charters back and going out of business.”

NASCAR said it has asked multiple times for settlement proposals but heard nothing. NASCAR also has no intention of re-negotiating the charter agreements held by 30 other teams.

Jordan has the money to keep 23XI running without charters, but FRM doesn’t have the same level of funding. Additionally, if the teams aren’t chartered, they will have to qualify on speed each week to make the field.

It won’t be an issue this weekend at Dover as fewer than the maximum 40 cars are entered. But should 41 cars show up anywhere this season, someone slow will be sent home.

“We’re not worried because our cars have the speed. We’ve always said we’re racing no matter what. If we have to race open, we have to race open,” Hamlin said at Sonoma Raceway last weekend. “We worked to get an injunction and obviously feel like Dec. 1 is all that matters.”

Legacy vs. RWR

This case is actually a dispute over agreed-upon terms for Ware to sell one of his two charters to Johnson and his partners at Knighthead Capital Management.

Ware this season is leasing a charter to RFK Racing and was already under agreement with that team to get the charter back in 2026, then lease RFK its second charter next season. He never had a charter to sell for 2026 unless he ceased operations.

Yet when he signed the contract with Legacy, Ware has said, he didn’t read it through and catch that the sale terms were for next season and not 2027, when he’d have both charters in his possession.

RWR is alleging Legacy pulled a bait-and-switch, and if true, it is on Ware for not seeing it in the contract he signed.

The curveball came when T.J. Puchyr, the Spire co-founder who now acts as a consultant and brokered the deal between Legacy and Ware, said last month he plans to buy Ware’s team. Legacy argued in court Monday it was blindsided by the news, that if Ware is selling then the charter rightfully belongs to them, and they urgently needed depositions before Ware sold his race team out from under them.

It didn’t help when Ware’s lawyers couldn’t answer questions about a potential sale: “I think you need to talk to your client,” the judge told them before warning Ware may be in contempt of court and ordering depositions for later this week.

Ware, meanwhile, apparently accepted the Legacy offer for his charter despite a second bid of more than $50 million from another party. With NASCAR indicating through discovery in the 23XI/FRM suit that it has interested buyers for the six charters, it is a seller’s market.

Johnson, with financial backing from Knighthead, is certain he will be getting the Ware charter one way or another to expand Legacy to three full-time Cup Series drivers.

“I’m not sure there is a plan B,” Johnson said of his confidence level at winning the case.

___

AP auto racing: https://apnews.com/hub/auto-racing

Credit: AP

Credit: AP

Credit: AP

Credit: AP

Dover Event Info:
Date: Sunday, July 20
Time: 2 p.m. ET
Series: NASCAR Cup Series (NCS)
Location: Dover, Delaware
Format: 400 Laps, 400 miles, Stages: 125-250-400
TV: TNT
Radio: PRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio (Channel 90)

Weekend Schedule:
Saturday: 11 a.m. ET, Xfinity Practice (CW App, PRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio)
Saturday: 12:05 p.m. ET, Xfinity Qualifying (CW App, PRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio)
Saturday: 1:35 p.m. ET, Cup Practice (TruTV, PRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio)
Saturday: 2:45 p.m. ET, Cup Qualifying (TruTV, PRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio)
Saturday: 4:30 p.m. ET, Xfinity Race (CW, PRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio)
Sunday: 2 p.m. ET, Cup Race (TNT, PRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio)

Pace Laps:

• Dover Motor Speedway hosts its lone race date of the season this weekend as the 21st points race on the NASCAR Cup Series schedule.
• Sam Mayer holds the best average finish (10.6) among full-time Xfinity drivers this season.
  • Mayer has started inside the top 10 in each of his last six starts dating back to Nashville Superspeedway in May.
• Sheldon Creed has recorded two consecutive top-10 finishes, both on road courses, at the Chicago Street Course (3^rd) and Sonoma (10^th).

Cole Custer Team Info:
Crew Chief: Aaron Kramer
Partner: HaasTooling.com

Sheldon Creed Team Info:
Crew Chief: Jonathan Toney
Partner: Friends of Jaclyn

Sam Mayer Team Info:
Crew Chief: Jason Trinchere
Partner: Audibel

Custer at Dover (Cup)
Starts: 4
Wins: —
Top-10s: 2
Poles: —

• Custer makes his fifth Cup start at Dover this weekend, where he has finished no worse than 15^th over his four starts. Both top-10 finishes came back-to-back in 2020 (10^th) and 2021 (10^th).
• His 11.5 average finish at Dover is the highest of any track on the NASCAR circuit this season (min. two starts).
• His best start came in 2020 (10^th), and he boasts a 22.8 average starting position.
• Custer has seven top-10 results in eight Xfinity Series starts at Dover, leading 332 total laps and earning the checkered flag in 2019. He also has three Truck starts at the “Monster Mile”.

Creed at Dover (Xfinity)
Starts: 3
Wins: —
Top-10s: 2
Poles: —

• Creed is set to make his fourth Xfinity start at Dover on Saturday, where he is coming off a fourth-place finish in last season’s race. His other top-10 result came in 2022 when he finished eighth after starting 11^th.
• He has started inside the top 10 in each of his last two starts and carries a 6.3 average starting position into the weekend.

Mayer at Dover (Xfinity)
Starts: 3
Wins: —
Top-10s: 3
Poles: —

• Mayer is in line for his fourth Xfinity start at Dover this weekend, coming off a third-place finish in last season’s race. He also finished ninth two seasons ago and fifth in 2022.
• His best start was on the front row in 2022, and he holds an average starting position of 15.3.

Where They Stand
Cup Points Standings (41: 34^th): Custer is 34^th in the Cup Series points standings with 255 points heading into Dover this Sunday.

Xfinity Points Standings (41: 8^th, 00: 10^th): Mayer sits eighth in the Xfinity points standings with 627 total points on the season, behind the seven winners, while Creed is in 10^th place with 518 points.

HFT PR

CONCORD, N.C. (July 15, 2025) – Hendrick Motorsports has added leading cybersecurity provider Atlantic Data Security (ADS) as a new technology partner in a multi-year agreement that runs through 2027. The sponsorship underscores the growing importance of threat prevention in high-performance environments where speed, data and innovation intersect.

Connecticut-based ADS will work closely with Hendrick Motorsports to enhance the team’s digital security infrastructure and safeguard critical systems across its operations. The relationship will allow ADS to generate unique promotional content across all forms of media and offer one-of-a-kind hosting opportunities for its clients and prospects.

“Hendrick Motorsports has always been about speed and finding the competitive edge through excellence and innovation,” said John Overbeck, vice president of sales for ADS. “Atlantic Data Security is all about meeting our customers where they are, empowering them to pursue their core strategy, backed by effective and efficient modern cybersecurity measures. In a world where speed and adaptability on and off the track are essential for success, our partnership with Hendrick Motorsports allows them to do what they do best: win races.”

Atlantic Data Security offers comprehensive cybersecurity services, including risk assessments, network and cloud security architecture, threat detection and response, compliance consulting, penetration testing, and managed security solutions. The company specializes in integrating best-in-class technologies with deep technical expertise to safeguard sensitive environments. It works with organizations across industries to prevent data breaches, protect intellectual property and ensure business continuity in today’s fast-evolving threat landscape.

“We rely on a staggering amount of information, systems and tools to compete at the highest level of NASCAR,” said Jeff Andrews, president and general manager of Hendrick Motorsports. “Protecting that environment is essential, and ADS brings the experience and technical insight to help us do it the right way. At the same time, we look forward to building a strong partnership that provides world-class experiences for their customers and helps grow the ADS business and brand.”

ABOUT ATLANTIC DATA SECURITY:
Founded in Wethersfield, Connecticut, in the early 1990s, ADS started its operations in the basement of a single-family residence. With a rich history rooted in innovation and excellence, ADS has emerged as a trusted partner to businesses, governments, and organizations across North America. Leveraging best-in-breed cybersecurity solutions, and a team of over 40 engineers, we help identify your potential problems and find the right solution to your business’s cybersecurity challenges.

ABOUT HENDRICK MOTORSPORTS:
Founded by Rick Hendrick in 1984, Hendrick Motorsports is the winningest team in NASCAR Cup Series history. At the sport’s premier level, the organization holds the all-time records in every major statistical category, including championships (14), points-paying race victories (317) and laps led (more than 84,000). It has earned at least one race win in a record 41 different seasons, including an active streak of 40 in a row (1986-2025). The team fields four full-time Chevrolet entries in the NASCAR Cup Series with drivers Alex Bowman, William Byron, Chase Elliott and Kyle Larson. Headquartered on more than 150 acres in Concord, North Carolina, Hendrick Motorsports employs approximately 600 people. For more information, please visit HendrickMotorsports.com or interact on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and X.

Source: Hendrick Motorsports

***

RACEWEEK SCHEDULE
At Dover Speedway
Friday, July 18

Noon: Fan Zone/Miles Beach opens
1 p.m.: Grandstand Gates 3, 11, 19/20 & Suite Gate open
1:40 p.m.: ARCA Menards Series practice
2:40 p.m. ARCA Menards Series qualifying
4:35 p.m.: ARCA Menards Series driver introductions
5 p.m.: General Tire 150 ARCA Menards Series race

Saturday, July 19

9 a.m.: Fan Zone/Miles Beach opens
11 a.m.: Grandstand Gates 3, 11, 19/20 & Suite gate opens
11 a.m.: NASCAR Xfinity Series practice
12:05 p.m.: NASCAR Xfinity Series qualifying
1:35 p.m.: NASCAR Cup Series practice
2:45 p.m.: NASCAR Cup Series qualifying
4 p.m.: NASCAR Xfinity Series driver introductions
4:30 p.m.: BetRivers 200 NASCAR Xfinity Series race

Sunday, July 20

9 a.m.: Fan Zone/Miles Beach open
10 a.m.: Grandstand Gates 2, 3, 4, 11, 16, 19/20 & Suite gate opens
10 a.m.: Spazmatics concert, Grove Stage
11 a.m.: Trackside Live Q&A, Chase Elliott & Kyle Larson, Monster Monument
11:15 a.m.: Trackside Live Q&A, Ryan Blaney & Josh Berry, Monster Monument
1:30 p.m.: NASCAR Cup Series driver introductions
2 p.m.: Autotrader EchoPark Automotive 400 NASCAR Cup Series race

Following a wildly successful debut season that captured the attention of the drag racing world, Drag Illustrated and Bradenton Motorsports Park are proud to announce the dates for the second annual Drag Illustrated Winter Series presented by J&A Service. The three-race Pro Modified series returns to Florida’s Gulf Coast with events scheduled as follows:

• Snowbird Outlaw Nationals presented by Motion Raceworks — December 5-7, 2025
• U.S. Street Nationals presented by M&M Transmission — January 23-25, 2026
• Drag Illustrated World Series of Pro Mod — February 26-28, 2026

Collectively paying out more than $300,000 in Pro Mod purses alone, the Winter Series has quickly become the premier offseason championship in professional drag racing.

“It’s just about that time of year again, and we couldn’t be more excited to bring the drag racing world back together at Bradenton Motorsports Park for the second-annual running of the Drag Illustrated Winter Series presented by J&A Service,” said Wes Buck, Founder and Editorial Director of Drag Illustrated. “What we’re building in Florida is unlike anything else that exists in the sport today, and the support we’ve received from racers, fans and sponsors is what’s made it possible. Our goal was to reset the standard in year one, provide proof of concept, and now we’re pouring fuel on the fire. We crowned Ken Quartuccio as our first champion back in March and I literally can’t wait to bring all the baddest drag racers on the planet back to Bradenton to make more memories starting at the Snowbird Outlaw Nationals.

“The most exciting part of all this is that we’re truly just getting started.”

The Winter Series will once again feature invitation-only 32-car fields in the Pro Modified class, contested on the outlaw eighth-mile with the Pro Mod ruleset that’s produced the closest competition in drag racing history. Random chip draws, world-class event production, and massive payouts have made the Winter Series the can’t-miss destination for drivers and fans alike during drag racing’s traditional offseason.

“We’re all about putting on a show and giving fans something to remember,” said Victor Alvarez, owner of Bradenton Motorsports Park. “Last year was next-level, but we’re not slowing down. We’re making major improvements here at BMP – new infrastructure, upgraded amenities, and more room to move – and we can’t wait to show it all off when the circus rolls back into town.”

“There’s nothing like hosting the baddest racers in the world right here at our house. The energy, the people, the racing – it’s a vibe. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: there’s no better place to be in the winter than Bradenton Motorsports Park.”

With the Snowbird Outlaw Nationals celebrating its 54th year, the U.S. Street Nationals continuing to draw record-breaking entries, and the World Series of Pro Mod growing into the richest and most prestigious Pro Mod race on the planet, the Drag Illustrated Winter Series has solidified itself as a cornerstone of modern drag racing.

“There’s a shared vision here between us and Vic,” added Buck. “We’re both hell-bent on raising the bar and creating something truly special. This series isn’t just about racing – it’s about community, competition, and creating moments that will live forever.”

For more information on the Drag Illustrated Winter Series, including ticketing, driver announcements, and championship details, visit DragIllustrated.com and follow @DragIllustrated and @RaceBMP on social media.

This story was originally published on July 15, 2025.

NASCAR has officially released its penalty report from the Sonoma Cup and Xfinity Series races this past weekend. Ty Gibbs and Brad Keselowski’s teams were not penalized for the altercation that followed Gibbs clipping a tire carrier in the No. 6’s pit box.

That shouldn’t come as a massive surprise to most fans, regardless of their feelings toward Ty Gibbs as a driver. Shortly after the incident, NASCAR declared that the No. 54 didn’t break any rules. They did, however, reportedly review the altercation between the two crews. It appears nothing came of it.

That said, NASCAR assessed the No. 51 Rick Ware Racing Ford team, Cody Ware driving, a routine penalty for losing a wheel. Crew members Marquill Osborne and De’Quan Hampton are suspended for the next two Championship Cup Points events, according to NASCAR.com.

Saturday’s Xfinity race saw three penalties handed down as a result of post-race inspection violations. The No. 21 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet, No. 26 Sam Hunt Racing Toyota, and No. 44 Alpha Prime Racing Chevrolet were all found to have improperly installed lug nuts. NASCAR has fined each team $5,000.

NASCAR will move on to Dover Motor Speedway this weekend. The Monster Mile represents a return to oval racing after a Shane van Gisbergen-dominated two-week road course racing stretch.