Overview

• U.S. District Judge Kenneth D. Bell set an Oct. 21 settlement conference in his Charlotte courtroom and invited mediator Jeffrey A. Mishkin to participate.
• The court reset hearings on summary-judgment and evidentiary motions to Oct. 23 as the Dec. 1 jury trial remains on the calendar.
• NASCAR sought a judge-led session after private mediation stalled, while 23XI Racing and Front Row argued to keep Mishkin given his familiarity with the case.
• Several non-litigant team owners submitted declarations urging resolution and defending the charter framework credited with creating about $1.5 billion in team equity since 2016.
• Both sides say they are open to settlement, yet Judge Bell has warned that a plaintiffs’ victory could force structural changes and create major uncertainty for the 2026 season.