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AVONDALE, ARIZONA – NOVEMBER 02: Denny Hamlin, driver of the #11 Progressive Toyota, reacts after the NASCAR Cup Series Championship at Phoenix Raceway on November 02, 2025 in Avondale, Arizona. (Photo by James Gilbert/Getty Images)

Denny Hamlin is again at the center of NASCAR’s charter debate, this time after a major legal settlement. Following the end of the federal antitrust lawsuit between NASCAR, 23XI Racing, and Front Row Motorsports, Hamlin publicly called for an apology from SiriusXM NASCAR Radio hosts. His comments came days after the case was settled in the U.S. District Court.

The lawsuit focused on NASCAR’s charter system and how teams share revenue and gain entry into races. Denny Hamlin, a co-owner of 23XI Racing alongside Michael Jordan, said earlier criticism from media voices now looks misplaced based on the evidence presented during the trial. The dispute has added another chapter to the ongoing tension between team owners, NASCAR leadership, and media voices tied closely to the sport.

Lawsuit settlement restores charters

The antitrust lawsuit ended on December 11, 2025, after nine days in federal court. 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports challenged NASCAR’s charter system after refusing to sign. Trial testimony included claims that NASCAR owed the teams $364.7 million and underpaid all chartered teams by $20.3 billion. The case settled before a verdict, restoring six charters to 23XI and Front Row Motorsports under undisclosed terms.

Denny Hamlin challenges the NASCAR media

After the settlement, Denny Hamlin posted on social media and addressed SiriusXM NASCAR Radio, including Larry McReynolds. Responding to a promotional post for McReynolds’ show “On Track,” He wrote, “Good morning. Now that the case is settled and the evidence is out, will you or anyone on channel 90 be issuing an apology for what you all said about 23XI/FRM when the lawsuit was filed?”

Hamlin followed up with another post, listing examples of remarks he believed were unfair. “I believe it was ‘how dare them for trying to come in and change the sport. 23XI hasn’t been around long enough, and FRM wasn’t good enough. Also, how about ‘I don’t know what their problem is, 13 other teams signed it’? Just to name a few examples.”

When the lawsuit was filed, 13 other teams signed the charter agreement. SiriusXM hosts, including McReynolds, questioned why 23XI and Front Row Motorsports did not follow the same path.

Fan reactions follow Hamlin’s comments

Hamlin’s posts sparked reaction from fans online, including listeners of SiriusXM NASCAR Radio. Some echoed his call for accountability and pointed to past coverage of the lawsuit.

“I’m waiting for Moody’s apology for the shitty way he was when he interviewed Mr. Kessler at the very beginning. I’m sure you realize how many hours of On Track have been entirely devoted to you for the last year. Figdets said.”

Another fan expressed doubt that any apology would come. “Why would they! They don’t have the decency. But don’t worry, we all know all the B.S they spewed and how bad it makes them look. Greg said.”

The lawsuit itself arose from broader concerns among team owners regarding NASCAR’s control over revenue, intellectual property, and barriers to new teams. With the legal case resolved, attention now turns to how the charter system operates moving forward. NASCAR has said the agreement strengthens partnerships and focuses on long-term growth.

Dogli Wilberforce is a sports writer who covers NASCAR, Formula 1 and IndyCar Series for Heavy Sports. With bylines at Total Apex Sports and Last Word on Sports, Wilberforce has built a reputation for delivering timely, engaging coverage that blends sharp analysis with accessible storytelling. Wilberforce has covered everything from major football transfers to fight-night drama, bringing readers the insight and context behind the headlines. More about Dogli Wilberforce

Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Amy Earnhardt do not shy away from sharing stories about life at home with their daughters, Isla and Nicole. Over time, on their podcast Bless Your Hardt, they have revealed that their daughters have two very different personalities. However, it has been a while since the NASCAR icon last spoke about Amy’s pregnancy.

Junior has admitted that parenting often tests his patience, joking about how challenging the girls can be for both him and Amy. Still, those everyday frustrations never overshadow the memory of the moment his life shifted in a way no racetrack ever could.

That moment dates back to 2017, when Dale Jr. appeared on Jimmy Kimmel Live and reflected on how Amy revealed her first pregnancy. At the time, Amy was expecting Isla. Junior recalled that the day had already felt special long before he stepped through the front door. A lifelong Washington Redskins fan, he had been invited to a luncheon that served as the team’s season kickoff. The invitation alone thrilled him.

The event turned out to be better than he could have imagined, as Junior took the stage for a Q&A session in front of the entire team, soaking in an atmosphere he described as unforgettable. In his words, it felt like the greatest day. Riding that high, he returned home eager to tell Amy every detail, unaware that something far more significant awaited him.

The Earnhardts shared a household rule shaped by their shared addiction to Amazon shopping. Packages arrived frequently, but neither opened the other’s deliveries. That routine held firm until that day. Amy casually mentioned that she had opened one of his packages, a detail that barely registered with him at first. As Junior moved toward the parcel, Amy quietly started recording him.

What happened next was something surreal to Dale Jr. “So I reach into this little pouch, and I pull out a onesie. And I’m like, I don’t, I mean, I know right away what that means. And I’m like, just weird words are coming out of my mouth. I don’t even know what I said. It made zero sense.”

Before he could gather himself, Amy urged him to keep going. “And then she’s like, ‘Well, there’s more in the bag.’ So I reach in there. I pull out the pregnancy test. And so we’re crying. She’s crying, I’m crying.”

The shock gave way to emotion. Junior described how overwhelming the moment felt because of the big news itself. He later explained that he wanted to preserve that instant forever. He planned to place the onesie and the pregnancy test inside a Ziploc bag and store them safely downstairs.

To him, those items were the first tangible proof of his child’s existence. He wanted to keep them intact so that one day he could show his daughter the very test that confirmed she was on the way.

Now, as Bless Your ‘Hardt prepares for its next episode, the story might come full circle. Viewers might be eager to learn whether Junior followed through on that intention and ever showed Isla the onesie and pregnancy test.

Jade Avedisian, who continues to see her star rise in the stock car racing world, will take another step forward in her trajectory in 2026. The 19-year-old racer has signed with Nitro Motorsports and will compete part-time in the ARCA Menards Series in 2026.

Avedisian will pilot a Toyota Camry for the race team with Mobil 1 and Yahoo serving as the partners for the effort. The California native says she is ready for the challenge in 2026.

“I’m really excited to take the next step in my career with Nitro Motorsports,” said Avedisian in a press release. “Nitro Motorsports has been a huge part of my growth and transition into asphalt competition. Each level has taught me something new, and now getting the opportunity to move into ARCA is something I’ve worked hard for. I know there’s a lot to learn with these cars and these tracks, but I’m ready for the challenge and grateful to have Mobil 1, Yahoo, and Toyota supporting this next chapter.”

Nitro Motorsports, which teamed with Avedisian in the 2025 Toyota GR Cup North America Series, feels that the young driver is perfect for its lineup as she has proven to be quite adaptable.

“Jade is exactly the kind of talent our program is designed to support,” added Nick Tucker, co-owner of Nitro Motorsports. “Her professionalism and her ability to adapt across different platforms make her an exciting young driver. She’s been impressive at every step, and now we’re looking forward to helping her succeed in ARCA. With the support of Mobil 1, Yahoo, and Toyota, we believe Jade will turn heads in 2026.”

The team has not revealed the full 2026 part-time schedule for Avedisian in the ARCA Menards Series, but will do so at a later date. The team will also have additional sponsorship announcements coming.

In 2025, Avedisian became the first-ever female race winner in the zMAX CARS Tour Pro Late Model division as she took the win on March 1 in the National Dodge 225 at New River All-American Speedway. Avedisian came home ahead of Spire Motorsports development driver Tristan McKee, who had led 96 of the race’s 100 laps, to score the milestone win.

Avedisian was initially credited with a runner-up finish to T.J. DeCaire in that event, but in post-race inspection, DeCaire’s car was deemed illegal, and he was disqualified as a result.

Avedisian got her feet wet in the ARCA Menards Series-level of competition as she competed in the ARCA Menards Series event on the dirt at the DuQuoin State Fairgrounds, where she finished 17th, and two ARCA West events in 2025. She finished 12th in her West series debut at the LVMS Bullring, and followed that up with a 19th-place result in the season finale at Phoenix Raceway.

Even with 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports settling their dispute with NASCAR, Denny Hamlin remains in attack mode, rattling cages. Last year, the Joe Gibbs Racing veteran went after the media, citing that some sources were spreading “disinformation” about the charter dispute.

Now, the three-time Daytona 500 winner is reopening old wounds, turning his attention to Channel 90, even after a court-mediated settlement designed to unify the sport.

‘Animosity Ends With Accountability’ – Denny Hamlin Goes Ballistic

Hamlin’s frustration with the media didn’t start yesterday. In November 2024, the JGR driver publicly challenged veteran broadcaster Larry McReynolds, accusing him of muddying the water with false information in the early coverage of the 23XI and FRM lawsuit against NASCAR. More than a year later (13 months), the legal battle has finally reached its conclusion.

After nine days inside a courtroom, the sanctioning body and the two Cup Series teams settled the dispute this past Thursday, formally closing the case. But while the lawsuit may be over on paper, Hamlin made it clear the reckoning isn’t. When McReynolds, the SiriusXM NASCAR Radio, posted a promotional teaser for Tuesday’s show, Hamlin stepped into the conversation himself.

“Good morning,” the 45-year-old began cordially, then came the wake-up call. “Now that the case is settled and the evidence is out, will you or anyone on channel 90 be issuing an apology for what you all said about 23XI/FRM when the lawsuit was filed?”

The roots of the dispute trace back to October 2024, when 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports refused to sign NASCAR’s proposed Charter Agreement, labeling it a nonstarter. Their antitrust lawsuit, which also named NASCAR CEO Jim France, accused the sanctioning body of maintaining monopolistic control over the sport.

At the time, McReynolds openly criticized the teams, arguing they were attempting to disrupt the way Charlotte has done business for 76 and a half years.

Now, with Hamlin rattling the cage once again, McReynolds found support from a familiar voice. Fellow SiriusXM NASCAR Radio co-host and PRN podcaster Brad Gillie stepped in to defend him.

Responding to Hamlin’s comments, Gillie wrote, “I realize you’re responding to Larry, but shouldn’t we let the animosity end? I would love to see us all positively move the sport forward with unity and grace.”

Hamlin, however, wasn’t interested in smoothing things over. The 23XI co-owner fired back with a brief yet blunt response: “Animosity ends with accountability.”

The remark struck a nerve, quickly lighting up social media as fans flooded the comments and pushed the post past thousands of likes, an unmistakable show of support for Hamlin’s hard-line stance.

Ty Dillon, the 33-year-old youngest grandson of racing icon Richard Childress, will return to Kaulig Racing in 2025 in the No. 10 Chevrolet.

Outside of a surprising run in the maiden mid-season tournament, where he made a run all the way to the final, it wasn’t a 2025 to remember for Dillon. The Kaulig driver finished 33rd overall in the NASCAR Cup Series standings. 

Speaking on his ‘Dale Jr. Download’ podcast, Dale Earnhardt Jr. seemed pessimistic about Dillon’s chances in 2026, partially due wit the changes at Kauli, who are moving away from their deal with Dodge cars. Kaulig also paused its Xfinity team (now the O’Reilly Auto Parts circuit). 

“Man, is it going to be a frustrating year? I would predict that next year for him will be one of his toughest personally, physically, mentally,” Earnhardt warned. 

“He’s racing for Kaulig, and they’ve got little to no support in terms of engineering and resources…Chevrolet is not going to be helping them. They’re not driving Dodges in Cup,” the former driver continued. “It’ll be a hot mess.”

Dillon raced for Richard Childress Racing in the Cup Series in 2015 and in the Xfinity Series from 2012 to 2019. He switched to Germain Racing in 2017, Gaunt Borther Racing in 2021, Petty GMS Motorsports in 2022, SPire Motorsports in 2023, before joining Kaulig in 2024. 

“Ty Dillon is returning to Kaulig. I’m surprised by that because I thought when Kaulig got shut out of the Chevrolet deal,” Earnhardt continued.

DON’T MISS: 

“[Because] I thought Ty Dillon was at Kaulig because of RCR and that connection….So RCR is now going to be working with Rick Ware. So, Kaulig is shoved off the Chevrolet ship.”

Dillon finished a career-best 24th in the Cup Series in both the 2017 and 2019 seasons. He has zero wins in 281 career starts, including eight top 10s. 

The younger brother of fellow driver Austin Dillon expressed excitement about his deal with Kaulig. “I am incredibly grateful for another opportunity to run full-time in the Cup Series and honored to do it with the men and women at Kaulig Racing, which means a lot to me personally,” Dillon said in a press release