After an eight-day legal battle in a federal courtroom in Charlotte, North Carolina, the case of NASCAR v. 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports has officially reached a settlement.

The settlement process got started immediately upon arriving at the courthouse on Thursday (December 11), when Judge Bell called for a surprise one-hour recess in the court, telling the jury that sacrificing an hour of their time this morning could result in the salvaging of several hours.

After about 90 minutes of deliberation, Jeffrey Kessler returned to the courtroom and informed Judge Bell that both sides had reached a settlement agreement.

This agreement comes just one day after the Plaintiffs (23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports) rested their case to the jury after calling more than a dozen different witnesses. On Wednesday, NASCAR got the opportunity to start calling its witnesses and did so with John Probst.

23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports had the burden of proof in this antitrust trial, and thus had to demonstrate to the jury that NASCAR was using their status as a monopsony to dampen the deal for NASCAR Cup Series teams in the 2025 Charter Agreement.

A potential catalyst for this settlement? A late-night submission from Johnny Morris, owner of long-time NASCAR sponsor Bass Pro Shops, who stood behind Richard Childress (and against NASCAR) after the sanctioning body had text messages from its executives come out in discovery in which they called Childress a “stupid redneck” and said he needed to be “taken out back and flogged”.

During a small speech to the courtroom on Thursday about the settlement, Judge Bell said that this would be better for the sport moving forward. While all of the points of the settlement agreement have been agreed on, both sides still need time to write it out and present it to the judge.

Barring any small procedural hiccups or holdups in the settlement process or any red tape, the NASCAR antitrust trial should finally wrap up on Thursday after eight days, and not continue any further.

With NASCAR, 23XI Racing, and Front Row Motorsports working to get all of the points of the settlement written out and presented to Judge Bell, nothing has yet been confirmed on the points of the settlement. However, as they become available from those in the courtroom, they will be added to the top of this story as an update.

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The NASCAR antitrust trial involving 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports (FRM) has become one of the most significant storylines of the 2025 season. A week into the trial, both sides have revealed unpleasant information about each other, but the disclosures have seemingly hurt NASCAR more than the teams.

With both sides going all out in the legal battle, ethical boundaries have been repeatedly stretched. In the most recent update, Judge Kenneth D. Bell intervened when the confidentiality of Richard Childress was compromised, and he called out NASCAR for its actions.

Why Did Richard Childress Testify Against NASCAR?

As more figures testified in the courtroom, so did Childress. In leaked emails and conversations that went viral in the weeks leading up to the trial, Childress was one of the figures whose reputation suffered a blow due to derogatory remarks made by NASCAR executives.

So naturally, when Childress stepped up for his testimony, the team owner did not hesitate to speak bluntly about the governing body’s actions. Childress declared that teams were forced to sign the charter, given the circumstances under which the agreement was presented.

He even highlighted that if he were in a better financial position, he would have chosen not to sign the charter agreement. NASCAR argued that since 13 teams signed the deal, it was done with mutual understanding. However, with the testimony of Heather Gibbs and Childress, that narrative was no longer airtight for the sanctioning body.

Following this, NASCAR attorney Christopher Yates brought up the ownership structure of Richard Childress Racing, noting that Childress only owned 60% of the team. He then interrogated Childress about the role of Bobby Hillin Jr. as a direct or indirect owner.

Childress responded by stating that information about that subject was confidential, and NASCAR’s reference to it in the courtroom was a violation of privacy and the NDA agreement.

How Did Judge Bell Respond to the Privacy Violation?

When Judge Bell dismissed the jury, the plaintiffs demanded a judgment from the court over the governing body’s violation of the NDA. They also sought custody of the documents from the defendants.

According to courtroom data revealed by Matt Weaver of Motorsport.com, Judge Bell told NASCAR’s defense, “Mr. Childress certainly thought it shouldn’t have been in their possession.”

ALSO READ: Courtroom Drama Peaks as Judge Bell’s Sharp Sarcasm Silences NASCAR’s Complaint Against 23XI

Yates responded by noting that their reason behind the actions was to impeach Childress for making false claims against the governing body. However, Judge Bell was far from convinced by Yates’ explanation, insisting that his reasons still did not justify the act. He ordered both parties to work together on the matter and devise an appropriate solution.

Although the court has asked both NASCAR and the teams to cooperate on a solution, given the current state of affairs, it will be interesting to see how they resolve their differences on this matter.

Major NASCAR sponsor Bass Pro Shops sent a scorching letter addressed to NASCAR and the France family following commissioner Steve Phelps’ “shockingly offensive” insults aimed at longtime team owner Richard Childress. NASCAR is in the midst of Week 2 of its antitrust trial with plaintiffs 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports, as the two Cup Series teams accuse the sanctioning body of monopolistic practices.

NBA legend Michael Jordan’s 23XI and FRM launched an antitrust lawsuit against NASCAR last year after being the only two Cup Series teams to refuse to sign up to the sanctioning body’s charter agreement. Over the course of a year-long legal battle, several twists occurred, including the granting of a preliminary injunction in December 2024, which allowed 23XI and FRM to race as chartered teams in 2025.

However, that injunction was overturned on appeal in June this year, forcing the two NASCAR outfits to race as “open” teams for the remainder of the season. 23XI and FRM were no longer guaranteed entry into every remaining race in the 2025 campaign, and they also incurred revenue hits, such as reduced payouts. They were also excluded from receiving a share of the TV revenue.

Still, 23XI and FRM stayed on the offensive against NASCAR, with Jordan’s business partner, Joe Gibbs Racing star Denny Hamlin, issuing a bullish message last summer ahead of a then-pending trial. “All will be exposed,” Hamlin said. Failed settlement talks also took place, and the case went to trial in North Carolina, starting on the 1st of this month, with Jordan ever present.

A jury of six will decide the outcome of the case, with significant implications for both parties. However, NASCAR was dealt a blow through text messages unsealed during discovery, in which Phelps sent “shockingly offensive” insults about longtime team owner Childress, who has been active in NASCAR since the 1960s.

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Childress was a longtime Cup driver, competing in 285 races across a 12-year career in the 1960s and 1970s. He started his team in 1969, which he still operates in the sport to this day. As a team owner, he won six titles with the late, Great Dale Earnhardt Sr. — but was referred to as an “idiot,” and “stupid redneck.”

NASCAR chief Phelps also claimed Childress “needs to be taken out back and flogged,” and also said, “If he’s that angry (and apparently he is), sign your charter extension and sell. He’s not smart, is a dinosaur, and a malcontent. He’s worth a couple hundred million dollars — every dollar associated with nascar in some fashion. Total a**-clown.”

The insults aimed at Childress greatly upset a longtime NASCAR sponsor, Bass Pro Shops, which sent a scorching letter to the sanctioning body and its owners, the France Family. Johnny Morris, the founder, majority owner, and CEO of Bass Pro Shops, put Phelps and Co. on blast for disrespecting Childress in a brutal slamdown. Bass Pro Shops, along with backing RCR and the No. 3 of Austin Dillon, is also a partner of Chase Briscoe and Joe Gibbs Racing’s No. 19 Cup team. They also have several other endeavors within the sport, and the iconic American brand has been deeply involved in NASCAR for nearly three decades.

Bass Pro Shop founder’s entire letter

“I’ve been a NASCAR fan since I was 7 years old when I started going to races at the fairgrounds speedway in my hometown, Springfield, MO with my Grandpa Will, who was a lineman for the Frisco Railroad. We-watched Willie Crane, Mark Martin, Ken Schrader, the Wallace brothers and others try to beat our local hero, Larry Phillips,” Morris started.

“In the years that followed, our company, Bass Pro Shops, has become a proud sponsor of NASCAR, a sport that resonates deeply not only with our own Outfitters, but with our core customer base — America’s 180 million outdoor enthusiasts and 60 million hunters and anglers.

“I speak up today on behalf of the wonderful people in our company who consider it an honor and a great source of pride to have sponsored NASCAR and our friend Richard Childress and his grandson Austin Dillon, for a very long time.

“Since Dale Eanhardt Sr. and Richard Childress welcomed us to the sport 28 years ago, Richard has become a special friend in life. He’s a great leader, a fierce competitor and a passionate advocate for outdoor enthusiasts, and conservationists, he is a true American patriot. Most of all, to us, Richard is a long time admired and respected member of our Bass Pro Shops family! As I write this today, way too many of my fellow teammates, our valued customers, our independent dealers and respected members of the conservation and military communities… are outraged by how Richard and his family have been treated by some senior NASCAR leaders.

“We are extremely upset by the recent disclosure of shockingly offensive and false criticisms of Richard by the Commissioner of NASCAR Steve Phelps. For the Commissioner and his allies, to attack one of the pillars of the sport is incredibly irresponsible and a disservice to everyone involved in NASCAR and its partners, sponsors and fans.

“What Mr. Phelps may or may not be aware of is the fact that in attacking Richard Childress, the racing legend, he is also attacking one of the most respected leaders in America’s conservation community. The commissioner has repeatedly labeled Richard as ‘an idiot,’ a ‘dinosaur,’ ‘a stupid redneck’ and a ‘clown.’

“The fact is Richard Childress has done as much to build and promote NASCAR as anyone in the history of the sport! The commissioner, in all his rant, has only managed to bring discredit to himself and the sport.

“Many of our teammates have validly expressed concern that the commissioner’s recently revealed contempt for Richard Childress makes it abundantly clear that he and his lieutenants are not capable of being fair and objective when it comes to impartially enforcing the rules and regulations that govern the sport, including the objective assessment of fines and penalties. This is a threat to the very integrity of the sport.

“We can’t help but wonder what would happen if Major League Baseball brought in a new commissioner and he or she trash talked one of the true legends who built the game like Willie Mays, Hank Aaron, Ted Williams, Mickey Mantle or Babe Ruth? Such blatant disrespect would probably not sit well with the fans – such a commissioner most likely wouldn’t, or shouldn’t, keep his or her job for very long!

“We write this letter with genuine respect for the family who gave birth to the great All-American sporting tradition of NASCAR. The France Family has always celebrated the beginning of every race with faith and prayer and saluted patriotism, with the singing of the national anthem, and remaining steadfast in going above and beyond to honor our veterans and active-duty military. They have built a sport celebrated by hardworking American families.

“It is painful for all fans to watch the current conflict and division occurring within the sport we love. We hope the France family and team owners will reflect carefully on the damage that’s being done to NASCAR in the ongoing dispute and dig deep and strive hard for compromise. We’re cheering for a prompt and fair resolution that creates a positive path to a happy and long-term future for the founding family, team owners and most importantly, the fans.

“One thing is for certain, as the leaders of NASCAR seek to grow the sport and attract new generations of fans, they must never turn their back on, or abandon, the true pioneers and especially fans who form the foundation of the sport we love.”

In July 2025, NASCAR announced that it would return to Southern California in 2026 with a street race at Naval Base Coronado. And while the news excited every NASCAR fan, given that the seven-time champion, Jimmie Johnson, grew up in El Cajon, just a short drive from San Diego, the upcoming event will offer him a chance to compete at the highest level in his own backyard.

During Brandweek in Atlanta in November, Johnson confirmed that he will take part in the first Cup Series race at Coronado, with his partner Carvana returning as the primary sponsor of his No. 84 LMC Chevy. He explained that, as a kid growing up just miles from San Diego, he often imagined racing in the city in a NASCAR machine, but the idea felt like a dream beyond the horizon.

He never believed it could happen because he couldn’t envision a place where NASCAR could realistically build or host a track.
Now that the improbable is on the calendar, Johnson views the location as pitch-perfect for a Cup Series showcase. He highlighted the region’s energy and lifestyle, describing San Diego as a community that thrives on weekend experiences.

“The community loves something to do on the weekends,” he said, pointing to the weather, the social atmosphere, and the city’s laid-back rhythm as natural ingredients for a marquee event. He added that the market has established race fans, along with an audience waiting to be tapped.

He emphasized that San Diego’s proximity to Los Angeles elevates the event’s potential reach. The cultural gravity of L.A., paired with San Diego’s distinct identity, makes the region a strategic play in NASCAR’s broader expansion.

Johnson argued that Coronado’s layout offers a more manageable logistical challenge than staging an event in downtown Los Angeles, which remains notoriously complex. “I’m biased,” he said, adding, “I think it’s the perfect location. I can’t wait for San Diego to shine.”

Johnson noted that community support is central to why NASCAR should test its footing in the area. While he hasn’t lived there on a full-time basis for many years, he still recognizes the rhythm of the city’s calendar: the Padres’ fan base, the void left by the Chargers’ departure, the annual Del Mar Fair, and the consistent stream of events that fill San Diego’s beaches and venues.

All of it, he believes, underlines a community eager for entertainment.

That’s why Johnson views NASCAR’s San Diego street-course venture as more than a scheduling shift. To him, it’s a natural extension of a city that thrives when it has something big to rally around, and he’s ready to be part of the moment when the hometown crowd gets its shot at the Next Gen engine sounds echoing off the Pacific.

Daniel Suárez’s move to Spire Motorsports for the 2026 season marked one of the headline shifts of the fall, with the 2016 Xfinity champion taking over the No. 7 Chevrolet Cup car from Justin Haley. But the driver wasn’t the only one switching garages. Freeway Insurance, Suárez’s long-time backer at Trackhouse Racing, chose to follow him to Spire, extending a partnership that has become one of the most personal and value-driven relationships in the Cup Series. For CEO Cesar Soriano, staying with Suárez was never a question; it was a conviction.

Freeway Insurance has been deeply embedded in NASCAR’s ecosystem for years, and the company aligned itself with Suárez in 2021, long before Trackhouse found its competitive stride. When Spire Motorsports announced Suárez as its new driver, Freeway seamlessly shifted its support, signaling that the relationship rested on more than team allegiances or competitive forecasts.

Soriano explained that their decision hinged on finding someone who could represent their brand authentically and with a personal touch.

In his view, “There’s no better driver, in my personal opinion, than Daniel Suarez, who is living that dream. He demonstrates that with hard work, perseverance, loyalty, and trust, you can achieve all your goals, and he’s doing it today,” Soriano said.

He added that loyalty cuts both ways, and Freeway has remained committed to Suárez because he continues to mirror the principles that define the company’s culture.

As a U.S. Army veteran, Soriano stressed the importance of discipline, teamwork, and resilience, qualities he believes Suárez carries to the grid every weekend. He went on to describe Suárez as an “incredible ambassador,” someone who understands how to connect with people beyond the racetrack.

Suárez echoed that sentiment, noting that his bond with Freeway Insurance extends far beyond business. For him, the partnership aligns with his mission to uplift his community and serve as a visible example for the Hispanic population within the sport.

He emphasized that Freeway’s base of Hispanic customers and employees adds even more weight to the relationship, making it a meaningful extension of his own story and purpose.

October brought another milestone when NASCAR revealed Freeway Insurance, a division of Confie, as the fourth Premier Partner of the NASCAR Cup Series. Joining Coca-Cola, Busch Light, and Xfinity, Freeway’s entry elevated its visibility and cemented its investment in the sport’s future.

Daniel Suárez’s move to Spire Motorsports for the 2026 season marked one of the headline shifts of the fall, with the 2016 Xfinity champion taking over the No. 7 Chevrolet Cup car from Justin Haley. But the driver wasn’t the only one switching garages. Freeway Insurance, Suárez’s long-time backer at Trackhouse Racing, chose to follow him to Spire, extending a partnership that has become one of the most personal and value-driven relationships in the Cup Series. For CEO Cesar Soriano, staying with Suárez was never a question; it was a conviction.

Freeway Insurance has been deeply embedded in NASCAR’s ecosystem for years, and the company aligned itself with Suárez in 2021, long before Trackhouse found its competitive stride. When Spire Motorsports announced Suárez as its new driver, Freeway seamlessly shifted its support, signaling that the relationship rested on more than team allegiances or competitive forecasts.

Soriano explained that their decision hinged on finding someone who could represent their brand authentically and with a personal touch.

In his view, “There’s no better driver, in my personal opinion, than Daniel Suarez, who is living that dream. He demonstrates that with hard work, perseverance, loyalty, and trust, you can achieve all your goals, and he’s doing it today,” Soriano said.

He added that loyalty cuts both ways, and Freeway has remained committed to Suárez because he continues to mirror the principles that define the company’s culture.

As a U.S. Army veteran, Soriano stressed the importance of discipline, teamwork, and resilience, qualities he believes Suárez carries to the grid every weekend. He went on to describe Suárez as an “incredible ambassador,” someone who understands how to connect with people beyond the racetrack.

Suárez echoed that sentiment, noting that his bond with Freeway Insurance extends far beyond business. For him, the partnership aligns with his mission to uplift his community and serve as a visible example for the Hispanic population within the sport.

He emphasized that Freeway’s base of Hispanic customers and employees adds even more weight to the relationship, making it a meaningful extension of his own story and purpose.

October brought another milestone when NASCAR revealed Freeway Insurance, a division of Confie, as the fourth Premier Partner of the NASCAR Cup Series. Joining Coca-Cola, Busch Light, and Xfinity, Freeway’s entry elevated its visibility and cemented its investment in the sport’s future.