“NASCAR must acknowledge the current model is unsustainable”

23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports are suing NASCAR in an antitrust trial. The two sides have been in court for over a week.

The court has already ruled that NASCAR has a monopoly on stock car racing. Now, the teams are looking to prove that NASCAR used anti-competitive practices to build that monopoly.

NASCAR lawsuit opened by 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports

In April 2024, Rick Hendrick wrote a letter to NASCAR CEO Jim France as teams were negotiating with NASCAR regarding the upcoming charter agreement. That letter has surfaced it court and it reveals new financial information regarding one of the biggest and most successful teams in all of auto racing.

During negotiations, one of the things teams were aiming for was a larger piece of the TV revenue. They also requested that the charter system become permanent.

As of 2024, Hendrick Motorsports won two NASCAR Cup Series championships in a five-year period between Kyle Larson and Chase Elliott. (Note: Larson also won the 2025 championship but 2025 financials were not included pre-dating this 2024 letter.)

Despite winning two of the five championships in that five-year span, Hendrick Motorsports lost $20M. That is a shocking revelation.

Rick Hendrick’s letter to Jim France

“Thank you for reaching out. I hope you and your family are doing well,” Rick Hendrick opened in the letter to Jim France.

“I believe we agree it’s critical for Hendrick Motorsports and all teams to establish a Charter agreement that’s fair and ensures a collaborative and prosperous structure for NASCAR, its stakeholders and the industry as a whole. This is an incredibly exciting time. The sport has great momentum, and we now have an opportunity to make even more progress if we choose to embrace it.”

“The alternative is something none of us want, but I’m afraid we’ve reached a breaking point.”

“You and I have become good friends. I have tremendous respect for you and truly value our personal relationship. In turn, I understand you must prioritize business and the best interests of your company, your family and your employees. But for the sake of transparency, I want to share my dismay at the state of these negotiations and the ineffective process we’ve endured over the last two years. Both sides have wasted a tremendous amount of time and resources, and we find ourselves at an unnecessary impasse.”

Jeremy Mayfield knocks NASCAR after leaked messages

Hendrick Motorsports Financials

“I’d also like to take this opportunity to share some facts. Over the past five years, Hendrick Motorsports has won two NASCAR Cup Series championships – and lost $20 million. I’d be happy to show you audited financial statements. I love this sport, and my passion for it keeps me engaged, but there’s a clear business reality. Before we can possibly reach an agreement, NASCAR must acknowledge the current model is unsustainable for teams and cannot continue without substantive, fundamental change.”

“Hendrick Motorsports has helped grow the sport. For example, Ally is one of the few full-time primary sponsors and, because of our relationship, has now become one of your official NASCAR partners. They also spend well over $1 million annually with FOX and NBC. We brought NAPA Auto Parts back into NASCAR after they were thoroughly embarrassed and elected to leave. My own company spend more than $20 million per year in sponsorship and advertising with NASCAR’s broadcast partners.”

“To allow our racing programs to operate, Hendrick Automotive Group did $1 billion in business with Hendrick Motorsports sponsors in 2023, including:

– “Ally: 22,000 loan originations ($951 million in retail paper)”

– “UniFirst: 24,000 uniforms leased ($4 million)”

– “Axalta: 33,000 gallons of Axalta paint used ($8.5 million purchased)”

– “Valvoline: 887,000 gallons of oil poured”

– “NAPA: 1.2 million parts purchased ($9 million)”

“The list of brands that have engaged with NASCAR because of Hendrick Motorsports is long. We have invested in building star drivers and have promoted the sport as much as anyone over the last four decades. Our organization and our partners direct tens of millions back to your company in the form of luxury suite rentals and other track activation costs.”

Rick Hendrick looks to make team ownership healthy

“But the message I continue to hear from NASCAR is that the teams bring no value, our rights are worthless and we don’t know how to run a viable business.”

“To be made to feel that my family’s investments and sacrifices are not appreciated, valued or respected by NASCAR is disappointing. To put it mildly. To be asked to consider a lesser deal, as your most recent proposal suggests, is a slap in the face. I will not agree to it.”

“Jim, your family has built an incredible legacy over the past 76 years, and I know it’s vitally important to you that it continue to grow and be successful long after we’re both gone. Having invested in building Hendrick Motorsports for 40 of those years, I feel exactly the same way. At this point in my life, I’m focused on ensuring that our company is around for the next 40 years. Jeff Gordon love the sport. So does my son-in-law Marshall Carlson, my grandson and the rest of my family. I want to see them carry it on far into the future. I owe it to my family, my employees and their families to do everything in my power to secure that future.”

“I understand it’s your preference to meet with teams individually, but I urge you to personally come to the table and work together with us. The teams agree on the core issues and are committed to seeing this through. We are presenting reasonable, common-sense ideas that will allow us to build long-term value, encourage future investment by teams, attract new ownership to the sport, and grow the pie for everyone, including NASCAR. Notable, the proposals also do not ask you to take a step back financially.”

“Our negotiation is about survival for the teams but it’s also about wiping the slate clear and creating a truly collaborative structure that will propel NASCAR to even greater heights. In my heart, I know there is a win-win solution that will allow all of us to thrive for many more years. If I’ve learned anything in my time in business, it’s that we’ll always be better by coming together. We have that opportunity right now.”

NASCAR team owner says he’s lost $100M in the sport

Links

NASCAR | Hendrick Motorsports | 23XI Racing | Front Row Motorsports

What’s Happening?

During the ongoing NASCAR antitrust trial, NASCAR fans are continuing to point out one mistake made by two key figures within NASCAR. But there may be more than meets the eye when it comes to this issue.

One of the most shocking moments of the ongoing antitrust lawsuit filed by NASCAR teams 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports was the unsealing of text messages shared between NASCAR officials, including former NASCAR President and current Commissioner, Steve Phelps, and former COO, now President, Steve O’Donnell.

These messages included, but were not limited to, talks about the now-defunct spec racing series SRX, which operated under the ownership of former NASCAR Crew Chief Ray Evernham and NASCAR legend Tony Stewart from 2021 to 2023.

In the messages, Phelps and O’Donnell, alongside other officials, expressed their fears about the start-up, all-star racing series, with Phelps saying in one exchange, “Need to put a knife in this trash series,” and O’Donnell saying in another, “This is NASCAR. Pure and simple. Enough. We need legal to take a shot at this.”

NASCAR fans took issue with these texts not only for the aggression shown towards the cult-favorite racing league, but also due in part to the insecurity NASCAR officials were having about another league somewhat encroaching on their turf.

During the past few sessions of the now underway antitrust trial, both Phelps and O’Donnell took the witness stand, with the two speaking not only on the text messages but also on SRX as a whole.

Elliott, the No. 9, and SRX

The two long-time NASCAR executives both had similar answers as to why they took such an aggressive stance against SRX, including their, at the time, upcoming media rights negotiations with networks, NASCAR owners and drivers racing in SRX, and the general look and feel of the series.

However, there was another point of contention with SRX, one that centered around a specific breakthrough moment for the series during its inaugural season.

For the final race of the 2021 SRX season, the series headed to the iconic Nashville Fairgrounds Speedway. Not only would this race return the iconic short track to national TV on CBS, but NASCAR legend Bill Elliott would race head-to-head with his son Chase Elliott, NASCAR’s reigning champion, that weekend.

Overall, the race in Nashville was a big win for the series, beating the NASCAR Xfinity Series in viewership, scoring 1.3 million viewers on CBS, compared to the Xfinity Series’ 1.08 million earlier that day. Though it is worth noting that SRX was on free television in prime time, while the Xfinity Series was mid-day on NBCSN.

So, aside from the ratings loss, what issue could Phelps and O’Donnell have with this event?

Well, to no surprise, the problem they had was Chase Elliott.

Now, NASCAR drivers racing in SRX was nothing new, using their usual number was nothing new, and even bringing along their iconic sponsor, like Elliot did, and eventually Denny Hamlin did, was nothing new. But, Phelps and O’Donnell claimed Elliott, driving the stylized No. 9 with NAPA sponsorship in the SRX race, had raised concerns with their TV partners.

This ties back to O’Donnell’s testimony last week, in which he said SRX “started to look more and more like NASCAR,” suggesting that SRX could have been creating confusion in the marketplace.

But, as many now know, Elliott did not drive a “stylized” No. 9 that day in Nashville; he drove the No. 94, his father’s long-time number and his former number in the NASCAR Truck Series (of which the SRX number looked similar to).

Parella Motorsports and SpeedTour™ to rebrand under the Racing America banner

NEW YORK, December 10, 2025–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Parella Motorsports Holdings and SpeedTour™ (collectively, “the Company”), the leading owner and operator of grassroots motorsports events in the United States, today announced the acquisition of Racing America, a premier digital-first motorsports media platform delivering live streaming, original content, and year-round coverage of amateur and stock car-adjacent racing.

The acquisition unites one of the largest live-event portfolios in grassroots motorsports with the industry’s leading digital content and distribution platform — creating the most expansive, fully integrated motorsports media and events network in North America. The combined business will operate under the Racing America brand and will be headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina. The combined company’s promotional video is available for viewing here.

Advancing a Unified Motorsports Platform

Velocity Capital Management, an operationally intensive private equity firm with deep expertise in sports, media, and entertainment, acquired the Company in December 2023. Under Velocity’s ownership, the Company has grown through strategic acquisitions, including MotorsportsReg.com, the industry’s leading registration and fan-engagement platform, and International GT, a classic-car racing series for late-model Porsche and Ferrari vehicles. The Racing America acquisition marks the Company’s third strategic acquisition under Velocity’s ownership. Velocity’s strategic partner, the Texas Permanent School Fund Corporation, was instrumental in originating the opportunity to acquire Racing America through its long-standing relationship with its ownership group and continues to provide both capital and industry insight to accelerate the Company’s growth.

“This acquisition marks a defining moment in our evolution and the next chapter for grassroots racing in this country,” said Lee Giannone, CEO of the newly formed Racing America. “By combining our national live-events platform with Racing America’s digital capabilities, we’re creating the foundation for the future of motorsports — one that connects fans and competitors year-round, expands global reach, and positions Racing America as the definitive home for grassroots and professional racing alike.”

Delivering a Fully Integrated Fan Experience

With Racing America’s digital production and streaming capabilities layered onto the Company’s nationwide live-event footprint — including the Trans Am Series presented by Pirelli, Sportscar Vintage Racing Association, Formula Regional Americas Championship, Formula 4 United States Championship, Ligier Junior Formula Championship, and International GT — the combined organization becomes the industry’s largest single source of live racing, original content, and behind-the-scenes access.

Story Continues

How To Drive A 330 MPH Nitro Funny Car | 4 Days At The World’s Biggest Drag Race With Chad Green Motorsports

Dec 10, 2025Chad Reynolds1320 Spotlight, 1320 Tech Story, 1320 Videos, BangShift 1320, RACING & ACTION, Videos

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Chad Green posts up some pretty cool stuff sometimes, like this new video explaining how to drive a funny car. Yep, watch this video and he’s going to walk you through what a real weekend is like racing one of these beasts. Step inside the world of an NHRA Nitro Funny Car team.

Video Description:

Go behind the scenes at the biggest drag race in the world! The 2025 NHRA U.S. Nationals. From August 28th through September 1st in Indianapolis, Chad Green Motorsports brings you four intense days of Nitro Funny Car racing, from the pits to the starting line and inside the driver’s seat.

Watch Chad Green’s POV cockpit footage as he straps into his 12,000-horsepower Nitro Funny Car, walking you through what it’s really like to drive one of the most powerful machines on earth. Experience the heart-pounding action, late-night thrashes, and raw emotion that define NHRA drag racing at its highest level. This is the U.S. Nationals like you’ve never seen before — unfiltered, up close, and all access with Chad Green Motorsports.

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What Do You Have To Trade? Would You Let Your Friend Trade Your Car On Your Behalf? Newbern is Trading Cotten’s Car And Cotten is Trading Newberns!

 

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