Motorsports
NASCAR Charter System Exposed in Antitrust Lawsuit
In the high-octane world of NASCAR, where engines roar and fortunes are made on split-second decisions, a quieter crisis has been brewing behind the scenes. On October 29, 2025, court documents from an explosive antitrust lawsuit ripped open the veil, exposing a brutal financial reality: while the France family, NASCAR’s iron-fisted owners, rake in nine-figure profits, many of the sport’s chartered teams are hemorrhaging cash just to cross the finish line.
–by Mark Cipolloni–
The revelation hit like a caution flag, with Joe Gibbs Racing co-owner and driver Denny Hamlin firing off a pointed jab on social media: “@grok how much have the teams collectively lost?” It was a rhetorical gut punch, underscoring a decade of simmering resentment under the charter system—a framework meant to stabilize teams but instead leaving them gasping for air.
The trigger? A federal lawsuit was filed last October by Michael Jordan’s 23XI Racing and Bob Jenkins’ Front-Row Motorsports, two mid-tier outfits that refused to sign the 2025 charter agreement. Their beef: NASCAR’s monopoly-like control over media rights, track ownership, and revenue sharing stifles competition and funnels the lion’s share of the sport’s $1.1 billion annual TV windfall straight to the top.
By holding out, the teams forfeited their charters mid-season, dropping to open-entry status and slashing their payouts overnight. A judge’s order to unseal 11 years of financial data painted a damning picture: over four seasons, one analyzed team’s operations racked up compound losses of $81,400,477 on a per-car basis. That’s not pocket change—it’s the equivalent of vaporizing an entire mid-level team’s budget, year after punishing year.
The Charter Trap: Promises of Stability, Reality of Ruin
Introduced in 2016, the charter system was NASCAR’s olive branch to its teams, granting 36 “franchise-like” spots guaranteed grid positions and a slice of the revenue pie. No more scrapping for starts at the back; instead, a structured payout model to foster investment.
But as the 2025 agreement details spilled into public view this week, the facade crumbled. The total payout pool for chartered teams? A tidy $431.37 million spread across 36 entries—averaging about $12 million per team annually.
Break it down: a base $141,000 per race under the Fixed Owner’s Plan, plus performance bonuses that scale with results. Win a race? The purse might hit $639,537 for the team, but that’s before splitting with drivers, crew, and haulers. The championship owner pockets $2.84 million at season’s end, a nice bonus for elites like Hendrick Motorsports.
Sounds workable—until you factor in costs. Operating a single Cup car in 2025 devours $25-30 million yearly: Next Gen chassis builds at $400,000 a pop, tire tests, travel across a grueling 36-race calendar, and escalating tech like hybrid engines looming on the horizon. Sponsorships plug some gaps, but they’re fickle; even powerhouses like Joe Gibbs Racing lean on them heavily.
Smaller teams? They’re underwater. Front Row’s Jenkins testified to $60 million in losses since 2016, totaling $100 million over his tenure. The Performance Plan, which doles out shares based on a two-year weighted points average (36 shares for the top dog, down to one for the cellar-dweller), favors the big three—Hendrick, Gibbs, Penske—leaving mid-packers like 23XI scraping by with crumbs.
The math doesn’t lie. That $12 million average payout grew modestly—3% annually, from $33.7 million total Fixed Plan in 2025 to $40 million by 2031—but inflation in racing costs has outstripped it, ballooning expenses by double digits.
“The pie isn’t growing fast enough,” one analyst noted, as teams face a “delicate balance” where one bad sponsor deal or playoff miss tips them into the red. Xfinity and Truck Series outfits fare worse, sans charters, racing for purses that barely crack $2-3 million combined per weekend. No wonder Hamlin’s quip resonated: teams aren’t just treading water; they’re sinking, threatening the sport’s depth and allure.
The lawsuit, set for trial on December 1, 2025, accuses NASCAR of anticompetitive strangleholds—owning 13 tracks, dictating media deals without team input, and buying up charters to consolidate power. If the plaintiffs win, it could shatter the system, forcing revenue audits or even team veto rights. For now, it’s a powder keg: 23XI and Front Row raced as open teams in 2025’s playoffs, their haulers lighter by millions, while signatories like Richard Childress griped that a single points penalty could cost $1 million in future payouts.
The France Dynasty: From Beachside Vision to Billion-Dollar Empire
Amid the teams’ despair stands the France family, architects of NASCAR’s ascent and its unyielding overlords. It began in 1947 when Bill France Sr.—”Big Bill”—cobbled together a ragtag group of moonshiners and speed demons on Daytona’s sands, birthing the Strictly Stock series that evolved into the Cup behemoth. His son, Bill Jr., professionalized it in the ’70s, inking the first TV deals and acquiring tracks like Daytona and Talladega. Today, grandson Jim France helms as CEO, with brother Brian (ousted in 2018 amid a DUI scandal) still wielding influence through board seats.
Their reward? A fortune built on the sport’s every turn. Forbes pegs Jim France at $1.77 billion in 2025, ranking him #1,947 among global billionaires, largely from NASCAR stakes and International Speedway Corp. (ISC) assets. Brian’s net worth hovers at $1 billion, fueled by private investments and family trusts.
The clan as a whole? Estimates vary—Forbes clocked $5.7 billion in 2015—but recent whispers peg it closer to $2.8-3 billion, dipped by market dips and the 2023 ISC-NASCAR merger that funneled $492 million in one-time gains. Either way, it’s a windfall from owning 90% of the pie: media rights ($1.1 billion/year through 2031), track admissions, licensing, and concessions.
NASCAR’s 2024 financials, unsealed in the suit, lay it bare: $103 million in net profit after $537 million revenue (boosted by asset sales), with purses and team shares a mere fraction. Every broadcast dollar, every ticket stub—most loops back to the Frances, who control the board and veto team pleas for fairer splits.
Critics howl: While teams subsidize the show with their own R&D and sponsor hunts, the family jets between private islands and yachts like Brian’s 164-foot Finish Line. In February 2025, rumors swirled of a stake sale to private equity, but Jim doubled down, keeping the empire familial. “Every single dollar” of new media bucks goes to teams, insists outgoing commissioner Steve Phelps—but the math says otherwise, with NASCAR pocketing over $100 million annually post-expenses.
Racing Toward Reckoning
As Phoenix’s lights beckon for the 2025 championship showdown—where a new king like Kyle Larson or Hamlin himself could be crowned—the track feels like a pressure cooker. Teams like Trackhouse hustle road-course aces for that elusive $1 million win bonus, while underdogs pray for a playoff miracle to stanch the bleed. The charter system’s flaws aren’t abstract; they’re eroding the pack, chasing away sponsors, and risking shallower fields that could dull the roar fans crave.
If the lawsuit topples the status quo, it might force a reckoning—forcing NASCAR to share the steering wheel. Until then, the France family’s gilded garage gleams brighter, a stark reminder that in stock car racing, not everyone gets an equal shot at the checkered flag. The engines rev on, but for how long?
Related Article: Likely outcomes should NASCAR lose antitrust lawsuit in court
🎄 Merry Christmas from AutoRacing1.com 🎅
As the holiday season races in, we want to take a moment to thank you for being part of our journey this year. Your passion for motorsports fuels everything we do, and we’re incredibly grateful for your continued support.
From all of us at AutoRacing1.com, we wish you and your loved ones a joyful, peaceful, and high-octane Christmas. May your holidays be filled with warmth, laughter, and plenty of horsepower!
Here’s to a thrilling new year ahead — we can’t wait to cross the finish line with you in 2026.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
🏁
The AutoRacing1.com Team.
MILLINGTON, Tenn. (WMC) – The dilapidated Memphis International Raceway will see tires on the track again.
This week, the International Hot Rod Association (IHRA) closed on the property at 5500 Victory Lane, which is also known as the Memphis Motorsports Park.
It’s been closed since 2022 and currently sits empty.
Located in the neighboring City of Millington, the Memphis International Raceway has played a significant role in the national motorsports scene since its opening in the late 1980s.
“This is a special place in American motorsports,” said Darryl Cuttell, CEO of IHRA. “This facility has a deep history in drag racing and stock car competition, and our goal is to honor that legacy while building a strong, sustainable future. We are committed to bringing meaningful racing back to this property while expanding its role as a destination for a wide range of events that serve racers, fans, and the surrounding community.”
Under its new ownership, the track will operate as a multi-use destination for drag racing, car competitions, and more.
“Memphis Motorsports Park has long contributed to tourism and economic activity in Millington and Shelby County, and IHRA’s acquisition represents a positive step forward for the facility and the community. This investment supports the continued use of the track as a regional destination while creating opportunities for local businesses and future growth. The Millington Area Chamber of Commerce looks forward to working with IHRA as this next chapter takes shape,” said Chris Thomas, executive director of the Millington Area Chamber of Commerce.
IHRA officials say facility improvements and operational preparations will begin in the coming days.
An event schedule has yet to be released.
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Photo credit: Porsche
Porsche Motorsport North America is adding an indoor-karting pipeline to its driver development ladder through a new multi-year partnership with K1 Speed, the companies announced. The agreement is aimed at turning K1’s points-based monthly racing structure into a more direct on-ramp for standout drivers to reach Porsche Sprint Challenge North America or Porsche Sprint Challenge USA West.
The arrangement has a public-facing branding component and a competitive incentive. Porsche Motorsport branding will be displayed across all 72 K1 Speed karting centers in the United States, while K1 Speed decals will appear on the front bumper of cars competing in Porsche Carrera Cup North America, Porsche Sprint Challenge North America, Porsche Sprint Challenge USA West, and Porsche Endurance Challenge North America.
At the sporting level, the companies plan to select two drivers from among the top racers who reach K1 Speed’s national competition, one from the teen class and one from the adult class. For those two drivers, the entry fee for a future season in Porsche Sprint Challenge North America or USA West will be waived, according to the announcement.
‟K1 Speed hosts thousands of motorsports enthusiasts each year and all of us at PMNA look forward to connecting with them,” Volker Holzmeyer, President and CEO of Porsche Motorsport North America, said. ‟Whether they are casual fans of motorsport or are searching for a path into professional racing, we are excited to introduce them all to the Porsche Motorsport Pyramid and the opportunities that it offers.”
K1 Speed said its arrive-and-drive model and monthly race series create an accessible starting point, with points earned locally and top finishers advancing to state and then national-level competition. ‟It’s an immense honor for K1 to partner with Porsche Motorsport North America to provide up-and-coming American racers with an extraordinary opportunity,” said David Danglard, CEO and Founder of K1 Speed and K1 Circuit. ‟We built K1 on the belief that future champions start here, and this partnership with Porsche creates a pathway to take them from our indoor tracks to the country’s greatest circuits.”
In honor of NASCAR legend Greg Biffle, who, along with his wife Cristina, daughter Emma, and son Ryder, died in a plane crash on December 18, KOHR Motorsports has announced that it will be paying tribute to the 55-year-old with a special livery at Daytona.
Biffle and his family died alongside fellow passengers Craig Wadsworth, and Dennis and Jack Dutton in the 19-time Cup Series race winner’s Cessna 550 Citation at Statesville Regional Airport in North Carolina.
Exactly who was flying the aircraft at the time, as three of those on board had licenses, was unclear as of a National Transportation Safety Board press conference on Friday.
NTSB Investigator-In-Charge Dan Baker explained that having taken off from Statesville at around 10:05 am, the plane took a left turn, flying for around five minutes before turning back toward its origin.
Spotted flying low, Baker said, “The initial point of impact was a runway light stanchion located about 1,800 feet from the runway threshold.
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“The airplane subsequently impacted trees, two other runway light stanchions, and the airport perimeter fence short of the runway threshold before coming to rest near the runway threshold. The airplane also came to rest oriented on an easterly heading.
“Post-impact fire consumed the majority of the fuselage and the inboard wing sections. All four corners of the airplane and flight control surfaces have been identified in the wreckage and the debris field. Both engines were present with the main wreckage.”
Brutal footage showing the plane landing at Statesville, leaving behind a trail of flames and dense black smoke, has since made its way onto social media.
The NASCAR community was quick to rally, honoring the memories of those lost in the tragic accident with the likes of Richard Petty, Denny Hamlin, and Kevin Harvick among those to share moving tributes.
KOHR is now doing its part to pay tribute to Biffle, sharing renderings of its special livery for an upcoming race, along with the caption, “In light of last week’s tragedy involving one of Nascar’s 75 Greatest Drivers and off track Humanitarian, Greg Biffle [including his family & friends].
“KOHR Motorsports will be running a tribute 2002 @nascar Busch Championship No.60 Ford livery on our IMPC No.60 @fordracing Mustang GT4 during the upcoming IMSA Roar Before The 24 and 4 Hour BMW M Endurance Michelin Pilot Challenge.
“The race begins 1:45PM ET on Friday, January 23rd at Daytona International Speedway ahead of 64th annual Rolex 24.”
The black, white, grey, and red sweeping design imitates that of Biffle’s title-winning Ford Taurus. That 2002 season saw Biffle win four races in the No. 60 Roush Racing Ford, finishing in the top five a further 16 times and the top 10 another five.
The following year, he took to the wheel of the No. 16 Roush Racing Ford in the Cup Series for what was his first full-time season in the series. He won one race in his rookie season, continuing to race full-time in the Cup Series through 2016.
Biffle briefly returned in 2022 to make four appearances in the No. 44 NY Racing Team Chevrolet, marking the final chapter in his NASCAR career.
Motorsports
12-year-old off-road racing champion Kroi Ryan prepares for AMA 2026 WORCS season and life challenges
As only a sixth-grader, Kroi Ryan has already made waves in Pahrump’s off-road racing scene, earning dual WORCS ATV championships in the 90cc class.
But while his trophies are impressive, it is his mindset and approach to life that set him apart.
As WORCS Racing joins forces with the American Motorcyclist Association to form the AMA 2026 West Regional Grand Prix, Kroi is gearing up for a full year of racing, mountain biking — and he’s eager to inspire other kids to face their fears and pursue their goals.
A new era for WORCS Racing and Kroi’s goals
Starting in 2026, WORCS will expand its schedule to 10 rounds across six states and merge with the AMA, introducing updated rules and age limits.
Kroi is excited to tackle at least four WORCS races next year, riding his APEX 90 ATV and Yamaha TTR 125 dirt bike.
He also plans to try some MRANN races, which are exclusive to dirt bikes, and is branching into mountain biking tournaments, as well as basketball, baseball, and soccer with Trojans basketball and AYSO 808 soccer.
“Even though we won’t be chasing a WORCS championship next year, our life will not be slowing down by any means. Nor will we be leaving the world of off-road racing,” Kroi’s mother Nicole said.
He’s also currently completing his hunter’s safety course, hoping to start hunting in 2026 — another challenge he’s excited to take on with the same mindset he applies to racing.
Fear, focus, and the joys of racing
For Kroi, racing isn’t just about speed or podiums — it’s about confronting fear and pushing personal limits.
“I am excited and afraid on the track. When I’m racing against someone as good or better than me, I feel a full-on ‘let’s do this’ competitive mindset. But when I’m done, I feel pride in myself for conquering my fears and finishing my goals. I love making it on the podium!”
He describes the thrill of racing as a pure rush of joy, whether going faster, jumping higher, or navigating tricky corners. At the same time, he’s aware of the risks: crashing, overshooting jumps, or hitting corners too hard. Safety gear helps, but it doesn’t eliminate the challenge — which is part of what makes the sport exciting for him.
“Fear is normal, just like failing. But if you let that stop you, that’s how you become a failure,” Kroi said. “Never let something control you. If you face your fears and your failures, you will always be in control.”
Inspiration beyond racing
Kroi knows his story inspires other kids with apraxia — he’s recognized in town and the racing community by strangers who read about his achievements in articles.
That directly motivates him to share his mindset and push others to overcome their own adversities.
“Life is hard. Something hard is a challenge. Overcoming a challenge is an adventure, with small achievements. Like a plaque on a WORCS podium,” Kroi says. “But the more achievements you make come true, the more you achieve your ultimate reward: your dreams.”
Kroi believes most in competing with yourself, improving every day, and celebrating personal victories.
His goal isn’t just to win races but to show that facing fear, staying persistent, and embracing challenges can lead to success in any part of life.
Contact Jacob Powers at jpowers@pvtimes.com. Follow @jaypowers__ on X.
It’s the most wonderful time of the year in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Two action packed weeks of racing in The Sooner State kicks off with the 2026 Tulsa Shootout, which begins December 29 and concludes January 3 inside the SageNet Center.
With a record-breaking number of entries (1,939 and counting), event officials recently released a tentative daily schedule for the six days of racing in Tulsa.
This year’s schedule has been adjusted to include a full day of practice on Monday, December 29 prior to the start of heat racing on Tuesday, December 30. Adjustments to the schedule have also allowed on-track action for the Junior Sprint division to be held earlier in the day.
“Those poor kids last year, when we had a couple days run long, it was forcing parents to wake their kids up to race, and as a parent, that really bothered me and knew that was something we needed to fix, so with the way were able to move things, I feel like this will be better not just for those teams, but everyone as a whole,” stated Tulsa Expo Raceway Chief of Operations, Matt Ward.
The tentative daily schedule for this year’s Tulsa Shootout can be viewed below. All six days of the 2026 Tulsa Shootout will be streamed live on FloRacing.
2026 Tulsa Shootout Daily Schedule
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 27
Parking: 8:00am
Sign-in: 12:00pm – 7:00pm
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 28
Parking: 8:00am
Sign-in: 12:00pm – 7:00pm
Tech for Restricted: 3:00pm
MONDAY, DECEMBER 29
SageNet Center Opens: 7:00am
Engine Heat: 8:15am – 8:20am
Practice: 9:00am (One round per class)
Joe’s Racing Products Stock Non-Wing
Hyper Racing Non-Wing Outlaw
K&B Motorsports Restricted
Sawyer Chassis Winged Outlaw
Flying A Motorsports Junior Sprints
JST Motorsports A-Class
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 30
SageNet Center Opens: 7:00am
Engine Heat: 8:15am – 8:20am
Racing: 9:00am
Joe’s Racing Products Stock Non-Wing FuelTech Heats
Flying A Motorsports Junior Sprints FuelTech Heats
JST Motorsports A-Class FuelTech Heats
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 31
SageNet Center Opens: 7:00am
Engine Heat: 8:15am – 8:20am
Racing: 9:00am
Hyper Racing Non-Wing Outlaw FuelTech Heats
K&B Motorsports Restricted FuelTech Heats
Sawyer Chassis Winged Outlaw FuelTech Heats
THURSDAY, JANUARY 1
SageNet Center Opens: 7:00am
Engine Heat: 8:15am – 8:20am
Racing: 9:00am
Joe’s Racing Products Stock Non-Wing E-Mains
Joe’s Racing Products Stock Non-Wing D-Mains
Joe’s Racing Products Stock Non-Wing C-Mains
Joe’s Racing Products Stock Non-Wing Qualifiers
Flying A Motorsports Junior Sprints Qualifiers
Hyper Racing Non-Wing Outlaw Qualifiers
K&B Motorsports Restricted Qualifiers
Sawyer Chassis Winged Outlaw Qualifiers
JST Motorsports A-Class Qualifiers
Sawyer Chassis Winged Outlaw D-Mains
Sawyer Chassis Winged Outlaw C-Mains
FRIDAY, JANUARY 2
SageNet Center Opens: 7:00am
Engine Heat: 8:15am – 8:20am
Racing: 9:00am
Hyper Racing Non-Wing Outlaw E-Mains
Hyper Racing Non-Wing Outlaw D-Mains
Hyper Racing Non-Wing Outlaw C-Mains
Flying A Motorsports Junior Sprints C-Mains
Flying A Motorsports Junior Sprints B-Mains
K&B Motorsports Restricted C-Mains
K&B Motorsports Restricted B-Mains
JST Motorsports A-Class E-Mains
JST Motorsports A-Class D-Mains
JST Motorsports A-Class C-Mains
SATURDAY, JANUARY 3
SageNet Center Opens: 7:00am
Racer’s For Christ Service: 7:30am
Engine Heat: 8:15am – 8:20am
Racing: 9:00am
Joe’s Racing Products Stock Non-Wing B-Mains
Hyper Racing Non-Wing Outlaw B-Mains
Sawyer Chassis Winged Outlaw B-Mains
JST Motorsports A-Class B-Mains
OPENING CEREMONIES, PARADE OF STATES
Joe’s Racing Products Stock Non-Wing LCQ
Hyper Racing Non-Wing Outlaw LCQ
K&B Motorsports Restricted LCQ
JST Motorsports A-Class LCQ
Sawyer Chassis Winged Outlaw LCQ
Joe’s Racing Products Stock Non-Wing A-Feature
Flying A Motorsports Junior Sprints A-Feature
Sawyer Chassis Winged Outlaw A-Feature
K&B Motorsports Restricted A-Feature
JST Motorsports A-Class A-Feature
Hyper Racing Non-Wing Outlaw A-Feature
**Schedule is subject to change without notice. Any updates will be posted to http://www.tulsashootout.com.
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