Overview

• At a Charlotte hearing, expletive-laden texts from Michael Jordan, Denny Hamlin and 23XI president Steve Lauletta entered the record alongside internal NASCAR emails from Steve Phelps and Steve O’Donnell.
• Plaintiffs highlighted documents outlining a Next Gen car as proprietary IP and track exclusivity plans to argue NASCAR sought to block rival series and monopolize stock car racing.
• U.S. District Judge Kenneth D. Bell said he will rule next week on a preliminary injunction, warning the charter system is at stake, with a jury trial set for December 1.
• NASCAR maintains 23XI and Front Row forfeited rights by refusing to sign extensions and says it has prospective buyers, while the teams currently compete as open entries after an earlier injunction was vacated.
• Counsel Jeffrey Kessler warned the teams could go out of business in 2026 without restored charters, and Jordan said he is prepared to fight the case through trial for what he called the betterment of the sport.