Overview
- U.S. District Judge Kenneth D. Bell rejected a protective order sought by Rick Hendrick and Roger Penske, stressing that no party will receive special treatment.
- The court ordered unrestricted, in-person pre-trial depositions to proceed under federal rules before the Dec. 1 jury trial in Charlotte.
- Hendrick and Penske had pushed for remote depositions and limits on questions, including those touching on financial information.
- NASCAR added both owners to its witness list at CEO Jim France’s request, prompting the plaintiffs to assert their right to depose them ahead of trial.
- The case heads to trial following recent rulings that defined the relevant market as premier stock-car racing and dismissed NASCAR’s countersuit.