Michael Jordan’s NASCAR legal battle intensifies after judge denies sanctions request

Michael Jordan’s NASCAR team, 23XI Racing, co-owned with driver Denny Hamlin, scored a key courtroom win in North Carolina. A federal judge said NASCAR’s demand that the racing teams show cause, to explain why they shouldn’t face penalties over “manufactured evidence” claims, was denied.

The judge ruled the motion didn’t help the case and seemed more aimed at affecting public opinion than the court’s process. This is a big moment in a long fight over whether NASCAR holds too much control in the sport.

Michael Jordan and Denny Hamlin’s 23XI Racing beats NASCAR’s motion in court

Michael Jordan and Denny Hamlin own 23XI Racing. Their partner in this fight, Front Row Motorsports, is owned by Bob Jenkins.

NASCAR filed a motion on August 7, 2025, asking the court to order the teams and their lawyers to explain why they shouldn’t be punished for supposedly submitting “manufactured evidence” in their fight against NASCAR. On August 11, the judge rejected NASCAR’s request, saying it did not move the lawsuit forward and appeared to seek a narrative rather than justice.Also Read: “Body Language Of Beaten Man”: Martina Navratilova Calls Out Donald Trump Following Failed Peace Talks With Vladimir Putin

Front Row Motorsports and 23XI Racing push antitrust case as December trial nears

In October 2024, 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports brought antitrust action alleging that NASCAR's control of charters, racetracks, and suppliers gives it an inequitable monopoly in stock-car racing. Judge Kenneth Bell issued the teams a preliminary injunction in December 2024 so they might compete as registered teams while the case goes forward.

That meant 23XI and FRM could race with guaranteed spots and money.In June 2025, an appellate court overturned that decision. The teams lost their charter status and were ordered to race as “open entries”, meaning they might miss races and lose revenue. Then, on July 16, 2025, NASCAR accused 23XI and FRM of faking evidence and lying in court filings. The pressure only got thicker, with a judge even urging both sides to consider a settlement in June 2025.Denny Hamlin, speaking in Dover, Delaware, said the teams will keep racing as open entries and vowed that “all will be exposed” when their trial starts on December 1, 2025.