Overview
- U.S. District Judge Kenneth D. Bell granted summary judgment dismissing NASCAR’s collusion counterclaim, citing a lack of unreasonable restraint of trade and no injury to competition.
- Bell wrote that any higher payments under 2025 charters would be a private economic loss to NASCAR, not harm to the competitive process.
- The judge said teams’ collective bargaining and a brief boycott of an owners’ meeting were negotiating tactics, with individual team talks remaining available and influential.
- With mediation unsuccessful and pre-trial stipulations in place barring personal attacks and certain references, the case is set for a Dec. 1 jury trial in Charlotte.
- NASCAR said it respects but disagrees with the decision and signaled it may appeal, while other summary-judgment motions and market-definition issues remain pending.