Overview
- U.S. District Judge Kenneth D. Bell granted summary judgment against NASCAR’s counterclaims, finding no unreasonable restraint of trade and no antitrust injury to competition.
- NASCAR’s assertions that Curtis Polk orchestrated collusion and that a 2023 owners’ meeting boycott harmed negotiations were deemed, at most, routine bargaining tactics with little impact.
- Attorneys for both sides agreed to trial guardrails that bar personal attacks, references to prior cases between the lawyers, and discussion of former executive Brian France’s departure.
- With mediation ending without a deal, the case remains set for a Dec. 1 jury trial in the Western District of North Carolina, as other summary-judgment issues continue to be briefed.
- NASCAR said it respects but disagrees with the ruling and may appeal at the appropriate time, while also arguing the plaintiffs’ bid for hundreds of millions in damages lacks evidentiary support.