Following the countersuit filed by NASCAR a few days ago against Front Row Motorsports and 23XI Racing, co-owned by Denny Hamlin and basketball icon Michael Jordan, Hamlin and Jordan have retaliated against the sport for targeting the latter's business partner, Curtis Polk, and getting too personal in the process. The escalating legal battle between the two teams and NASCAR began last October when both teams refused to sign the new charter agreement. Rather than comply, 23XI and Front Row opted for a legal approach, accusing NASCAR and its CEO Jim France of monopolizing stock car racing unlawfully. According to Newsweek Sports, NASCAR announced its counterclaim against the two teams on March 5, which explicitly mentioned Polk.
NASCAR’s statement claimed, “It is truly ironic that in trying to blow-up the Charter system, 23XI and FRM have sought to weaponize the antitrust laws to achieve their goals. That is because the undisputed reality is that it is 23XI and FRM, led by 23XI's owner and sports agent Curtis Polk (23XI, FRM, and Curtis Polk collectively, 'Counterclaim Defendants'), who willfully violated the antitrust laws by orchestrating anticompetitive collective conduct in connection with the terms of the 2025 Charter Agreements.” NASCAR attorney Christopher Yates is quoted as targeting Polk, asserting, “I don't think Mr. Polk really understands the sport. I think he came into it and his view is it should be much more like the NBA or other league sports. But it's not. No motorsport is like that.”
In response, Jordan has made it clear he stands behind Polk through a spokeswoman, stating, “Curtis and MJ stand united. His perspective is if you are coming after Curtis, you are coming after him. He doesn't look at this as just business. It's personal.” Furthermore, Hamlin reacted to Yates's comments, defending Polk’s expertise: “That's like saying a chef doesn't know how to cook. He's built Michael Jordan's empire for the last 30 years. The guy knows the business.”
The legal skirmish comes amid a backdrop of growing tensions in NASCAR as Denny Hamlin also celebrated Josh Berry’s recent victory at the NASCAR Cup Series in Las Vegas. Hamlin, reflecting on Berry's achievement during an episode of his Actions Detrimental podcast, noted the significance of Berry's win for self-made drivers. “It’s so refreshing and great to see. You know, a self-made Cup Series driver like Josh being successful,” he expressed, recognizing the hard work that went into Berry's rise to victory. “To see him win now a Cup race, just a few years later is just — it’s very gratifying to see guys from my discipline and how I grew up being successful.”
Berry, who is 34 years old, represents a kind of success that stands out in NASCAR, where many drivers often rely on connections. Hamlin stressed that the sport could accommodate drivers like Berry who don't hail from traditional backgrounds, further extending hope for potential new talents in NASCAR. “It’s good to see some of these asphalt Late Model guys really doing well. Kaden Honeycutt is another one who I think is very, very good,” he said, implying a bright future for those from non-traditional racing backgrounds.
This wave of support for Berry illustrates the opportunities rising within the sport, despite criticisms of NASCAR’s structure. Following Denny Hamlin’s signing of Progressive as his primary sponsor for 18 races this season, NASCAR veteran Kenny Wallace commented on the healthy state of affairs in the sport, calling attention to increasing viewership numbers. He remarked that NASCAR draws over three million viewers on cable TV, signifying a resurgence in interest in racing.
Wallace, on his podcast, pointed out that it seems like “everybody wants to be in NASCAR right now,” highlighting the significance of sponsorship in revitalizing the sport's economy. Hamlin's new deal, which secures 26 of the 36 races in 2025, has played a crucial role in restoring confidence, especially following the exit of FedEx as his primary sponsor at the end of the 2024 season. Wallace noted that the agreement is a “big deal” for NASCAR, as it illustrates that sponsors still believe in the sport.
Despite the optimism surrounding Hamlin’s sponsorship arrangements, there remains a gap, as at least ten races in his schedule are still without a primary sponsor. However, given the momentum in sponsorship deals and Wallace’s optimistic outlook, it's plausible that Hamlin will fill those gaps sooner rather than later.
The intertwined narratives of the legal battle and emerging successes in NASCAR paint a picture of resilience and evolving dynamics within the sport.
As the fallout from the sue-and-counter-sue scenario continues, NASCAR fans and stakeholders look forward to how both sides will navigate this tumultuous period and what implications it holds for stock car racing's future.
In light of these developments, the unity shown by Denny Hamlin and Michael Jordan presents a strong front against the overarching challenges within NASCAR, highlighting the sport's ongoing transition.
