Overview

• U.S. District Judge Kenneth D. Bell set an Oct. 21 settlement conference in Charlotte and invited designated mediator Jeffrey A. Mishkin to participate.
• A hearing on summary-judgment motions and potential witness exclusions is now scheduled for Oct. 23, with a Dec. 1 trial date still on the calendar.
• NASCAR pushed for court-led talks and filed owner declarations urging resolution to avoid risking the charter model, which it says has created more than $1.5 billion in team equity since 2016.
• 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports opposed replacing Mishkin, say they are open to talks yet prepared for trial, and maintain they do not seek to eliminate charters.
• NASCAR has indicated willingness to resolve the case but says it will not renegotiate charter agreements, as Judge Bell warns a plaintiffs’ victory could force major structural changes to the sport.