Motorsports
NASCAR‘s Countersuit Against 23XI, Front Row Motorsports Advances
U.S. District Judge Kenneth D. Bell on Monday denied a motion to dismiss NASCAR’s antitrust counterclaim against Front Row Motorsports, 23XI Racing and 23XI co-owner Curtis Polk, a group NASCAR says has engineered an “illegal cartel.”
The legal battle between these parties has become a familiar topic in sports law.
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Last year, 23XI and Front Row sued NASCAR and its CEO, James France, claiming they’ve unlawfully monopolized premier stock car racing and used charters, which guarantee teams a starting position in NASCAR-sanctioned races but restrict their opportunities to compete in other circuits, to further their alleged conspiracy. In March, NASCAR countersued, asserting 23XI Racing and Front Row have conspired to use threatened group boycotts and other harmful measures to “threaten, coerce and extort NASCAR” into acquiescing.
NASCAR’s counterclaim included Polk, who owns 23XI with Michael Jordan and Denny Hamlin, as a defendant. Polk is depicted as largely responsible for the alleged conspiracy. Polk has been an advisor and confidant to Jordan since the 1990s and served as vice chairman of Charlotte Hornets Sports & Entertainment when Jordan was the team’s majority owner.
Front Row, 23XI and Polk maintain that NASCAR’s counter lawsuit is meritless and a “retaliatory” filing designed to intimidate them and other race teams. A counterclaim raises the possibility that not only could Front Row and 23XI come up short in proving NASCAR violated antitrust law, but they could be found to have violated antitrust law themselves and thus owe NASCAR damages.
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Bell, whose granting of a preliminary injunction in favor of Front Row and 23XI was recently vacated by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit, concluded that NASCAR’s counterclaim is sufficient to proceed.
Bell determined that NASCAR offers a relevant market for antitrust analysis, namely the market of entry of cars into NASCAR Cup Series races. NASCAR, Bell added, also plausibly alleges teams racing in the Cup Series “collectively have power in the market,” and the alleged use by Polk, 23XI and Front Row of boycotts and demands for more money could cause NASCAR harm in the market. In other words, Bell found NASCAR to have adequately stated a claim.
But Bell emphasized NASCAR has satisfied a “low bar” for proceeding past a motion to dismiss. Further, he noted that Front Row and 23XI “have several responses” to NASCAR’s allegations. The judge went so far as to suggest those responses might prove persuasive later in the litigation.
Even so, a win is a win for NASCAR at this early stage of the counterclaim litigation. The advancement of NASCAR’s claims could open new terrain for pretrial discovery.
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In a statement shared with media, 23XI and Front Row attorney Jeffrey Kessler said he and his colleagues are “disappointed” Bell did not dismiss what Kessler blasts as “NASCAR’s meritless, retaliatory counterclaim.” Kessler added that while Bell didn’t side for his clients, the judge’s “recognition of many of our arguments, including the efficiency and necessity of joint negotiations and lack of credible evidence, reinforces our confidence that we will prevail in summary judgment.”
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Motorsports
Mini Bike Challenges Sport Bike to a Race – Drag Bike News
It’s the biggest motorcycle drag racing grudge race of the year, Kings of Grudge Grinchmas from Orlando Speedworld Dragway and we cover this shocker as a fast mini bike calls out a stretched Suzuki Hayabusa grudge bike on the opening day of this event. We also see some motorcycle drag racing gone wrong as a fast Suzuki Hayabusa and GSXR 1000 suffer engine damage. Enjoy some thrilling motorcycle drag racing from Kings of Grudge









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Motorsports
Bubba The Love Sponge and Cycledrag Discuss The State of Motorsports – Drag Bike News
It’s episode No. 3 of the Racing Jack Show and we sit down with media mogul “Bubba The Love Sponge” to Talk about what’s really hurting the racing business and what the sport must do to bring fans back to NHRA, NASCAR, Dirt Races and a whole lot more. After an in-depth discussion on the state of motorsports and racing the leader of the Bubba Army shocks us when he calls his good buddy and motorsports legend Tony Stewart.

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We ask Bubba how the next generation of race fan has changed, how difficult it is to run a track and an organization and how racing organizations can follow the successful formula of WWE and UFC. We also discuss the controversial decision by the NHRA to cancel its final race of the season and discuss some of the interworking of NHRA drag racing and how it functions as a not for profit organization. Bubba also talks about what it’s like to climb the ladder in NASCAR in today’s climate compared to how it once was in the days of greats like Dale Earnhardt Sr. Finally we discuss Bubba’s reporting on the untimely death of Hulk Hogan and how the wrestling legend’s passing changes the way Cycledrag operates.
There are more videos on the Cycledrag Youtube channel (please subscribe here) and like the Cycledrag Facebook page (Please like here) and more will be coming soon. Also subscribe to our NEW Youtube channel “Racing Jack” and Check back daily.



Motorsports
Sport Bike Crashes at Biggest Grudge Event of the Year – Drag Bike News
We head to the biggest motorcycle drag racing grudge race of the year where we unfortunately see one fast racer on a Suzuki GSXR blow an en engine and suffer a big top end crash at Orlando Speedworld Dragway. It’s motorcycle drag racing gone wrong as this veteran driver suffers an incident but the good news is he was alert and awake and the Orlando safety team was right on top of it. We also see some unbelievable motorcycle drag racing as nitrous and turbo Suzuki Hayabusa and GSXR 1000 and Kawasaki ZX-14 stretched bikes go for big money win at the biggest Grudge race of the year, Kings of Grudge Grinchmas from Orlando, FL





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Motorsports
We rank the top-10 NASCAR Cup drivers of 2025
The 2025 NASCAR Cup Series season was a 36-race saga of raw speed, strategy, and sheer misfortune, ending with Kyle Larson claiming his second championship at Phoenix Raceway—despite Denny Hamlin delivering what many consider the most statistically dominant campaign of the modern era. Hamlin’s six wins led the series, but a heartbreaking late caution in the finale snatched victory away, allowing Larson to capitalize. Points reset in the playoffs obscure the full picture of performance across ovals, road courses, and superspeedways.
–by Mark Cipolloni–
This ranking prioritizes overall impact: wins, poles, consistency, laps led, playoff pushes, and overperformance—elevating those who truly excelled beyond the trophy. In a year of road-course brilliance, veteran grit, and cruel twists, here are the top 10 drivers who defined 2025.
1. Denny Hamlin (Joe Gibbs Racing) – The True Season Dominator

Rank in Point Standings: 2nd
No. of Wins: 6
No. of Poles: 5
No. of Wins vs. Teammate: Led JGR
No. of Poles vs. Teammate: Strong
Hamlin’s six victories were the most in the series, backed by aggressive restarts, bold strategy, and unmatched hunger at age 44. He dominated the finale at Phoenix, leading a record 208 laps from pole—only for a late caution (unrelated to him) to erase his lead and hand the title to Larson. Heartbreakingly close after superior raw stats all year, Hamlin proved he’s among NASCAR’s all-time greats, championship or not.
2. Kyle Larson (Hendrick Motorsports) – The Opportunistic Champion

Rank in Point Standings: 1st
No. of Wins: 3
No. of Poles: 1
No. of Wins vs. Teammate: Tied high at Hendrick with Byron
No. of Poles vs. Teammate: Competitive
Larson’s versatility and calm execution sealed his second title, leading over 1,100 laps with 15 top-fives and minimal errors. A smart two-tire call in Phoenix overtime turned Hamlin’s dominance into victory. Deserving champion, but Hamlin’s superior wins and poles make this a debated crown.
3. Shane van Gisbergen (Trackhouse Racing) – The Road-Course Phenom

Rank in Point Standings: 12th
No. of Wins: 5
No. of Poles: 3
No. of Wins vs. Teammate: Dominated road courses
No. of Poles vs. Teammate: Led on twisties
In his full-season debut, SVG monopolized road courses with five wins (often by massive margins) and Rookie of the Year honors. Playoff qualifier with oval improvements, his raw talent overperformed the No. 88 Chevy—turning heads and redefining road-ring mastery.
4. Chase Briscoe (Joe Gibbs Racing) – The Qualifying Ace and Adapter

Rank in Point Standings: 3rd
No. of Wins: 3
No. of Poles: 7
No. of Wins vs. Teammate: Competitive
No. of Poles vs. Teammate: Led JGR
Switching to JGR after replacing Truex Jr., Briscoe exploded: series-high seven poles, three wins, and a Championship 4 berth. Massive speed gains and aggression made him a breakout, dragging his team deep into the playoffs.
5. William Byron (Hendrick Motorsports) – The Consistent Frontrunner

Rank in Point Standings: 4th
No. of Wins: 3
No. of Poles: 3
No. of Wins vs. Teammate: Tied with Larson
No. of Poles vs. Teammate: Strong
Regular-season points leader Byron claimed three wins (including back-to-back Daytona 500s) and led thousands of laps. Dominant stretches and clutch Martinsville playoff advance highlighted his evolution into a perennial threat.
6. Ryan Blaney (Team Penske) – The Clutch Closer

Rank in Point Standings: 6th
No. of Wins: 4
No. of Poles: 2
No. of Wins vs. Teammate: Most at Penske
No. of Poles vs. Teammate: Competitive
Blaney’s four wins included a late surge, capping with Phoenix victory. Leading 852 laps despite inconsistencies, his momentum and improvements made him Penske’s leader.
7. Christopher Bell (Joe Gibbs Racing) – The Reliable Winner

Rank in Point Standings: 5th
No. of Wins: 4
No. of Poles: 1
No. of Wins vs. Teammate: Tied high at JGR
No. of Poles vs. Teammate: Solid
Bell’s four wins and series-high 22 top-10s showed reliability across tracks. Steady playoff runs positioned him as a future champion in JGR’s lineup.
8. Chase Elliott (Hendrick Motorsports) – The Resurgent Favorite

Rank in Point Standings: 8th
No. of Wins: 2
No. of Poles: 0
No. of Wins vs. Teammate: Solid
No. of Poles vs. Teammate: Competitive
Elliott returned strong with two wins, consistent top-10s, and playoff pushes. Balanced oval/road performance rebuilt his momentum.
9. Joey Logano (Team Penske) – The Experienced Fighter

Rank in Point Standings: 7th
No. of Wins: 1
No. of Poles: 2
No. of Wins vs. Teammate: Led at times
No. of Poles vs. Teammate: Strong
An “off” year for the defending champ still yielded a win and poles through savvy racing, keeping Penske competitive amid challenges.
10. Tyler Reddick (23XI Racing) – The Quiet Maximizer

Rank in Point Standings: 9th
No. of Wins: 0
No. of Poles: 2
No. of Wins vs. Teammate: Overperformed
No. of Poles vs. Teammate: Competitive
Winless but consistent with runner-ups and top-10s, Reddick extracted maximum from 23XI amid hurdles—excellent racecraft in a rebuilding effort.
2025 blended triumph, heartbreak, and emerging stars. While Larson holds the trophy, Hamlin’s dominance and SVG’s flair captured imaginations. NASCAR’s depth shines—on to 2026!
Motorsports
4 NASCAR Cup cars unlikely returning for the 2026 Daytona 500
The entry list for the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series season-opening Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway, which is now just over a month and a half away, is slowly but surely coming together.
In addition to the 36 chartered cars that are locked into the 68th running of the 200-lap race around the four-turn, 2.5-mile (4.023-kilometer) high-banked Daytona Beach, Florida oval, three non-chartered (open) cars have also been confirmed.
Justin Allgaier is set to drive the No. 40 Chevrolet for JR Motorsports, B.J. McLeod is set to drive the No. 78 Chevrolet for Live Fast Motorsports, and Jimmie Johnson is set to drive the No. 84 Toyota for Legacy Motor Club.
There are four spots open in the 40-car field, though that number could be increased to five if somebody (likely Johnson) is granted a world-class driver provisional and does not manage to successfully qualify either on speed or his Duel result.
Regardless, there will likely be multiple drivers sent home from the Duel races disappointed, as there are still expected to be five more cars added to the entry list between now and February, setting up a battle between eight drivers for either four or five spots. However, four cars once considered potential entries will likely not be a part of that battle.
Here’s a look at four possible Daytona 500 entries that are unlikely to return in 2026.
No. 91 Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet
For the first time since 2023, Trackhouse Racing brought back their PROJECT91 program for the 2025 Daytona 500, fielding the No. 91 Chevrolet for Helio Castroneves. Castroneves locked into the race via the world-class driver provisional, making the Daytona 500 the first since 1993 to feature exactly 41 cars.
PROJECT91 did not return for the rest of the 2025 season, and it is unlikely to be back for the season opener next year, as the Justin Marks-owned team aim to place full focus on their three-car full-time lineup.
No. 01/No. 15 Rick Ware Racing Ford
Rick Ware Racing expanded to two cars for four races in 2025, each race for Corey LaJoie as he drove the No. 01 Ford. That schedule included the Daytona 500 and two other superspeedway races at Atlanta Motor Speedway, plus the spring race at Bristol Motor Speedway. It did not include any races during the second half of the season.
A second entry has not been completely ruled out by the team for 2026, but it is unlikely to make an appearance at Daytona, ever after LaJoie was competitive and led laps in 2025.
No. 50 Team AmeriVet Chevrolet
Team AmeriVet (formerly The Money Team Racing) have quietly competed in the NASCAR Cup Series for four consecutive years, though they have not competed in the Daytona 500 since over a year before their 2024 rebrand.
This underdog team still managed to qualify for the race in both of their previous attempts back in 2022 and 2023, but they are unlikely to make a third attempt this coming February.
No. 56 Tricon Garage Toyota
Tricon Garage did what JR Motorsports did in 2025 by moving up to the Cup Series for the first time and making their debut in the Daytona 500. They did so with Martin Truex Jr. behind the wheel of the No. 56 Toyota. but Truex is not expected back in 2026.
Additionally, Corey Heim, who won the Truck Series championship for the team in 2025, is expected to run a fourth 23XI Racing entry, so a Tricon Garage return for the “Great American Race” has been all but ruled out.
Expected Daytona 500 entry list additions: No. 33 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet, No. 44 NY Racing Team Chevrolet, No. 62 Beard Motorsports Chevrolet, No. 66 Garage 66 Ford, No. 67 23XI Racing Toyota
Single-car qualifying for the 68th annual Daytona 500 is scheduled to take place on Wednesday, February 11, 2026, followed by the two Duel qualifying races on Thursday, February 12. Fox’s live coverage of the race itself is set to begin at 2:30 p.m. ET on Sunday, February 15.
Motorsports
Aaron Rodgers gives his Steelers linemen $20K vehicles for Christmas
Aaron Rodgers delivered the “gift of horsepower” to this offensive lineman.
The Steelers quarterback purchased each of his protectors a Can-Am Maverick side-by-side vehicle for Christmas.
Rodgers’ generosity was documented Thursday on TikTok and Instagram by Mosite Motorsports, which showed the future Hall of Famer riding next to his linemen in the off-road vehicles outside the Steelers’ practice facility.

“This Christmas, Aaron Rodgers gave his offensive line the gift of horsepower. Safe to say, it delivered. Merry Christmas from Mosites Motorsports,” the dealership wrote in its TikTok video.
The 2026 Maverick 3X goes for $19,999 on the Cam-Am website, putting Rodgers’ tab around $100,000 for his five linemen.
“Unleash unbeatable off-road dominance with this revolutionary machine, now the most affordable in its category,” Cam-Am describes the Maverick on its website. “Engineered with a lightweight chassis, experience lightning-fast agility and breathtaking speed that constantly shatters expectations.”
It was a different approach than Russell Wilson took last year in the Steel City.
During his one season with he team, he gifted his linemen a $10,000 Airbnb gift card, a Black and Gold Louis Vuitton duffle bag, a bottle of his wife Ciara’s Ten To One Rum and custom shoes from his own Good Man Brand.
Rodgers, 42, has plenty to be happy with from his group during his first season in Pittsburgh, as he’s been sacked a total of 25 times this season, with only five coming in the past five weeks as Pittsburgh makes a push for the playoffs and the AFC North title.
The former Jets signal-caller has had a strong season with the Steelers, throwing for 2,860 yards, 23 touchdowns, seven interceptions and a 98.2 quarterback rating.
Pittsburgh (9-6) can clinch the division title with a win over the Browns or a Ravens’ loss to Rodgers’ former team, the Packers.
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