CHARLOTTE — A federal judge urged NASCAR and two of its teams, including one owned by retired NBA great Michael Jordan, to settle their increasingly acrimonious legal fight that spilled over into tense arguments during a hearing on Tuesday.

U.S. District Judge Kenneth Bell of the Western District of North Carolina grilled both NASCAR and the teams — 23XI Racing, which is owned by Jordan and three-time Daytona 500 winner Denny Hamlin, and Front Row Motorsports, owned by entrepreneur Bob Jenkins — on what they hoped to accomplish in the antitrust battle that has loomed over the stock car series for months.

“It’s hard to picture a winner if this goes to the mat — or to the flag — in this case,” Bell said. “It scares me to death to think about what all this is costing.”

23XI and Front Row were the only two organizations that refused to sign a take-it-or-leave-it offer from NASCAR last September on a new charter agreement. Charters are NASCAR’s version of a franchise model, with each charter guaranteeing entry to the lucrative Cup Series races and a stable revenue stream; 13 other teams signed the agreements last fall, with some contending they had little choice.

The nearly two-hour hearing was on the teams’ Request to toss out NASCAR’s countersuit, which accuses Jordan business managerCurtis Polk of “willfully” violating antitrust laws by orchestrating anticompetitive collective conduct in negotiations. NASCAR said it learned in discovery that Polk in messages among the 15 teams tried to form a “cartel” type operation that would include threats of boycotting races and a refusal to individually negotiate.

One of NASCAR’s attorneys even cited a Benjamin Franklin quote Polk allegedly sent to the 15 organizations that read: “We must all hang together, or most assuredly we shall all hang separately.”

Jeffrey Kessler, an attorney representing the teams, was angered by the revelation in open court, contending it is privileged information only revealed in discovery. Kessler also argued none of NASCAR’s claims in the countersuit prove anything illegal was done by Polk or the Race Team Alliance during the charter negotiation process.

“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,” Kessler said outside court. “It makes absolutely no sense. It’s not going to help them deflect from the monopolizing they have done in this market and the harm they have inflicted.”

He added that “the attacks” on Polk were “false, unfounded and frankly beneath the dignity of my adversary to even make those type of comments, which he should know better about.”

NASCAR attorneys said Polk improperly tried to pressure all 15 teams that comprise the RTA to stand together collectively in negotiations and encouraged boycotting qualifying races for the 2024 Daytona 500. NASCAR, they said, took the threat seriously because the teams had previously boycotted a scheduled meeting with series executives.

“NASCAR knew the next step was they could boycott a race, which was a threat they had to take seriously,” attorney Lawrence Buterman said on behalf of NASCAR.

Kessler said outside court the two teams are open to settlement talks, but noted NASCAR has said it will not renegotiate the charters. NASCAR’s attorneys declined to comment after the hearing.

Bell did not indicate when he’d rule, other than saying he would decide quickly.

Preliminary injunction status

Kessler said he would file an appeal by the end of the week after a three-judge federal appellate panel dismissed a preliminary injunction that required NASCAR to recognize 23XI and Front Row as chartered teams while the court fight is being resolved.

Kessler wants the issue heard by the full appellate court. The injunction has no bearing on the merits of the case, which is scheduled to go to trial in December. The earliest NASCAR can treat the teams as unchartered is one week after the deadline to appeal, provided there is no pending appeal or whenever the appeals process has been exhausted.

There are 36 chartered cars for the 40-car field each week. If 23XI and Front Row are not recognized as chartered, their six cars would have to compete as “open” teams — which means they’d have to qualify on speed each week to make the race and they would receive a fraction of the money guaranteed for chartered teams.

Discovery issues

Some of the arguments Tuesday centered on Jonathan Marshall, the executive director of the RTA. NASCAR has demanded text messages and emails from Marshall and says it has received roughly 100 texts and over 55,000 pages of emails.

NASCAR wants all texts between Marshall and 55 people from 2020 through 2024 that contain specific search terms. Attorneys for the RTA said that covers more than 3,000 texts, some of which are privileged, and some that have been “deleted to save storage or he didn’t need them anymore.”

That issue is set to be heard during a hearing next Tuesday before Bell.

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From a road course in Mexico City to the Tricky Triangle in the Poconos.

One week after its trip south of the border, the NASCAR Cup Series is on the move yet again. The world’s best stock car drivers will roll into Pocono Raceway for their annual visit to Pennsylvania.

The one-of-a-kind 2.5-mile track offers a distinct challenge, with three unique corners on the triangle-shaped circuit.

So, what’s in store for Pocono this year? What’s the TV schedule for the weekend? And who could contend for the win on Sunday? Here’s everything you need to know for The Great American Getaway 400:

When is the NASCAR race in Pocono?

The Great American Getaway 400 is set for Sunday, June 22, at 2 p.m. ET.

Before the race, there will be practice and qualifying on Saturday. The 37 drivers will be split into two groups, with each group getting 25 minutes of free practice. For qualifying, each driver will get one lap to set the starting order based on speed.

NASCAR TV schedule this weekend for Pocono

This weekend marks the fifth and final race streaming exclusively on Amazon Prime Video before TNT takes over.

Adam Alexander (play-by-play), Dale Earnhardt Jr. (analyst) and Steve Letarte (analyst) will be on the call for Prime, with Danielle Trotta, Carl Edwards and Corey LaJoie providing pre- and post-race coverage.

Here’s the full schedule for Pocono:

Saturday, June 21 (Amazon Prime Video)

Sunday, June 22 (Amazon Prime Video)

Who is racing in Pocono? Here’s the entry list

Thirty-seven drivers will race at Pocono — the 36 full-timers, plus one “open” entries.

Brennan Poole, a 34-year-old Xfinity Series regular, will jump up to the Cup Series for his 43rd career start in NASCAR’s top division for NY Racing Team. It will be Poole’s first Cup start since 2023.

Here’s the full entry list for Pocono:

NASCAR picks, predictions, favorites for Pocono

Three organizations have dominated the win column over the first 16 weeks of the 2025 season, and that should continue at Pocono.

Joe Gibbs Racing, with six wins, is primed for another strong weekend. Denny Hamlin, who missed last week due to the birth of his son, has more Pocono wins than any driver ever. Christopher Bell has three straight top-12s at Pocono, while Ty Gibbs was on the pole last year and finished fifth in 2023.

Team Penske, with three wins, should rally around one driver this weekend: Ryan Blaney. The 2023 Cup champion scored his first career win at Pocono eight years ago, and he added another victory last summer. The defending champion Logano was quietly fifth last year, too.

Get to know NASCAR driver Ryan Blaney.

Hendrick Motorsports, with four wins, has four legitimate chances to win at Pocono. Chase Elliott and Alex Bowman are both past winners at the track, and each scored a top-five finish last week in Mexico. Kyle Larson has led at least 15 laps in five Pocono starts, while William Byron has the best average finish among active drivers (9.4 in 11 career starts).

If anyone can challenge the big three, look toward a pair of upstart teams — RFK Racing and 23XI Racing.

Brad Keselowski and Chris Buescher have won at Pocono, and they combined to lead 39 laps last year for RFK (20 for Keselowski, 19 for Buescher). For 23XI, Tyler Reddick has four straight Pocono top-10s (including two runner-ups) and Bubba Wallace has four straight Pocono top-11s.

The winning pick for Pocono is Byron, who gets his first win since the Daytona 500 in February and finally visits victory lane in Pennsylvania.

NASCAR past winners, race history for Pocono

Eight of the 37 drivers in the field are past winners at Pocono.

Hamlin holds the track record with seven victories (2006, 2006, 2009, 2010, 2019, 2020, 2023). Behind him, the active drivers with multiple wins include Busch (2017, 2018, 2019, 2021) and Blaney (2017, 2024). The one-time winners at Pocono are Keselowski (2011), Logano (2012), Buescher (2016), Bowman (2021) and Elliott (2022).

NASCAR pit stops are a sport themselves with how much planning goes into a perfect pit stop. Here’s what you need to know about what happens during a pit stop.

Dale Earnhardt Jr. is stepping in to support his JR Motorsports team in a surprising yet fitting way this weekend. With crew chief Mardy Lindley sidelined due to a one-race suspension over loose lug nuts at Nashville Superspeedway, Earnhardt Jr. will don the headset for the No. 88 car driven by young phenom Connor Zilisch at Pocono Raceway. The move comes shortly after Dale Earnhardt Jr. brought up his father in a bold Carson Hocevar verdict following a NASCAR incident, showing how deeply involved he still is in the sport on and off the track.

JR Motorsports confirmed the role change on X: “This weekend, @DaleJr will be filling in for Mardy Lindley as crew chief of the No. 88 as Lindley serves his one-race suspension for loose lug nuts following the NXS race in Nashville two weeks ago.”

The suspension stems from post-race inspections after Nashville’s Xfinity Series event on May 31, where inspectors found two loosely fastened lug nuts on Zilisch’s Chevrolet. As a result, team owner Lindley received both a $10,000 fine and the race-day suspension, although NASCAR deferred the crew chief ban to Pocono instead of enforcing it immediately after Nashville. This comes as Teresa Earnhardt’s massive net worth, inherited after Dale Sr.’s passing, continues to spark discussion about the Earnhardt family’s evolving legacy in NASCAR.

Despite the penalty, the decision drew attention — and criticism — from within the racing community, with some questioning whether JR Motorsports’ stature and Earnhardt’s ownership influenced NASCAR’s call to delay the suspension.

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For Earnhardt Jr., who is already serving as an analyst for the Cup race broadcast on Prime Video, this marks a fresh challenge and a rare return to hands‑on team leadership. A two-time Xfinity champion with 24 wins and 26 Cup victories, including two Daytona 500s, Dale Jr. brings both deep experience and a unique dual perspective as part‑owner and media figure.

Connor Zilisch, only 18 years old and racing in just his rookie Xfinity season, currently sits fifth in the standings and recently scored a career-best P2 finish at Nashville. Earnhardt’s guidance atop the pit box could be invaluable as Zilisch navigates Pocono’s tricky, 2.5-mile triangular layout for the first time.

Earnhardt Jr.’s decision to jump behind the scenes demonstrates his commitment to JR Motorsports and its driver development ethos. Since its founding in 1998 under Earnhardt’s lead, the team has become a staple of the Xfinity Series, aiming not only to win races but also to nurture future talent.

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From a broader lens, the situation highlights the strict enforcement of technical regulations in NASCAR — no matter the team’s fame or ownership. Loose lug nuts are considered both a safety hazard and a competitive risk, and NASCAR’s swift response reflects its growing rigor. That said, the deferred suspension did spark debate about consistency: while Lindley must sit out Pocono, some believe the delay benefits JR Motorsports.

All eyes will be on Earnhardt Jr. this weekend, as he balances broadcasting duties with crew chief responsibilities. His deep well of racing knowledge, passion for the sport, and relationship with Zilisch could pay dividends, potentially delivering a strong performance at Pocono — and reinforcing JR Motorsports’ position as a powerhouse in developing NASCAR talent.

By Jenna Fryer 
AP Auto Racing Writer

MEXICO CITY (AP) — Despite the handful of industry insiders too scared to leave their hotels in Mexico City, NASCAR’s first international Cup Series race of the modern era was a cultural experience that brought new fans to the series and provided its competitors with a chance to enjoy a new country.

The event had its detractors — rumors persisted for months that it would be canceled over security concerns or the escalating tensions between the United States and Mexico — and some NASCAR team members remained critical all the way through Sunday’s race.

The NASCAR Chicago Street Race has partnered with Chicago-based Levy to wave the green flag on new Windy City flavors across Grant Park, July 5-6, 2025. The partnership taps into Levy’s local restaurant roots, sports and entertainment leadership, and motorsports expertise.

Returning to Chicago’s historic Grant Park for the third year, the street race which has been dubbed “Event of the Year” by Sports Business Journal, will feature an expanded collection of Chicago’s favorite restaurants and menus curated by Levy.

“We are thrilled to partner with another Chicago-based culinary powerhouse like Levy to ensure that we continue to shine a spotlight on the local Chicago food scene,” said Julie Giese, NASCAR Chicago Street Race President. “With visitors coming from all 50 states and more than two dozen countries around the globe, this partnership allows us to both highlight Levy’s own world-class hospitality and also showcase even more local, family-owned Chicago neighborhood restaurants to our race attendees this Independence Day Weekend.”

“As a Chicago-lifer, I’m definitely biased, but I truly believe there is no city with more energy than Chicago during the summer,” said Andy Lansing, CEO of Levy. “The NASCAR Chicago Street Race highlights our city and the sport in a totally unique way, and it’s been incredible to see fans rally behind it. We’re so excited to help elevate an already wonderful event with a new level of food, beverage and hometown hospitality.”

This year’s festivities will debut a new food and beverage lineup across concessions and premium hospitality spaces featuring a deep roster of favorite Chicago restaurants. That includes two of Levy’s own restaurants in Chicago – Jake Melnick’s Corner Tap and River Roast – alongside local, independently-owned staples Mr. Beef, Bronzeville Winery, Lexington Betty Smokehouse, Robinson’s Ribs, and Josephine’s Southern Cooking, with more to be announced closer to race weekend. 

Across the Grant Park course, Levy and NASCAR will build on their existing sustainability programs with a renewed commitment to scaling up reusable products. Beverage locations across all areas of the event this year will use reusable cups.

Levy, which has grown from a delicatessen in Chicago’s Water Tower Place into a global hospitality leader, remains headquartered on Michigan Avenue in Chicago’s Gold Coast and has deep-rooted relationships across the city. The company leads the food, beverage and hospitality experience at nearly 20 locations around Chicagoland, along with marquee racing events like the DAYTONA 500 and Coca-Cola 600, and many other NASCAR Cup Series events.  

Look for more detail about the food and beverage experience at the 2025 NASCAR Chicago Street Race over the coming month.  

NASCAR PR