Overview
- A jury of nine was seated for a two-week trial before U.S. District Judge Kenneth Bell, with opening statements beginning Monday in Charlotte.
- Judge Bell barred both sides from using exhibits during openings and ordered 23XI co-owners Denny Hamlin and Curtis Polk sequestered until they testify.
- Michael Jordan attended day one, and several potential jurors were dismissed after saying they could not be impartial because of him.
- The court has already found NASCAR holds 100% share of the market for premier stock car racing; the jury now decides whether that power was used unlawfully, with the plaintiffs seeking more than $300 million and potential treble damages.
- Possible outcomes range from structural changes to charters and supplier rules to 23XI and Front Row racing as open teams if NASCAR prevails, with discovery showing NASCAR’s roughly $100 million net income in 2024 as teams report losses.