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CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA – MAY 20: NASCAR Executive Vice President Steve O’Donnell speaks during the 2025 NASCAR Hall of Fame Voting Day at NASCAR Hall of Fame on May 20, 2025 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Krista Jasso\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n
NASCAR text has become a major focus in the antitrust case involving 23XI Racing<\/a> and Front Row Motorsports<\/a> after newly unsealed court filings revealed private 2023 messages between two top NASCAR leaders. The texts show Steve Phelps and Steve O\u2019Donnell speaking sharply about the Superstar Racing Experience, known as SRX, and reacting to Denny Hamlin\u2019s plan to race in the series during the off-season.<\/p>\n These messages, now public as exhibits in federal court, are being used by the teams to support claims that NASCAR pushed back against competition. As the lawsuit continues, the documents are offering a rare look into how the sport\u2019s leadership viewed a growing rival.<\/p>\n Some interesting texts revealed tonight \u2026 the text reaction of Phelps and O\u2019Donnell when they found out Denny Hamlin was running SRX \u2026 (tonight is the deadline for redacted exhibits to be filed for exhibits used in the summary judgment rulings). pic.twitter.com\/EE6WURbibY<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) November 22, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n What the Unsealed Messages Show<\/p>\n On July 20, 2023, Phelps reacted after learning that Hamlin<\/a>, driver of the No. 11 Toyota for Joe Gibbs Racing, agreed to race in an SRX<\/a> event. According to the filings, he sent a message to O\u2019Donnell that said, \u201cThis is the trash series that needs a knife taken to it.\u201d<\/p>\n O\u2019Donnell replied that the legal team was already working on the situation. \u201cAlready on it with legal,\u201d he wrote. He also noted that NASCAR could enforce contract rules that prevent active Cup drivers from racing in non-NASCAR stock-car events without written approval.<\/p>\n Phelps then added that Hamlin\u2019s appearance in SRX helped the new series earn support he felt it did not deserve. \u201cDenny doing this gives them credibility they don\u2019t deserve,\u201d he wrote.<\/p>\n NASCAR Text Evidence in the Antitrust Case<\/p>\n The lawsuit filed by 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports claims NASCAR used its power to keep rival groups from growing. Court documents say NASCAR blocked SRX from getting dates at major tracks and pressured partners not to work with the series.<\/p>\n SRX began in 2021 with a mix of retired stars and active drivers from different types of racing. The series aired on CBS<\/a> for its first two seasons but ultimately postponed its 2024 season indefinitely, effectively ending the series, due to a combination of factors including declining television ratings after a move to ESPN, unsustainable costs, and a soft sponsorship market.\u201d<\/p>\n Hamlin commented on the messages during his Actions Detrimental podcast, calling them clear proof of what he and others have argued. \u201cThose texts show exactly what we\u2019ve been saying in court,\u201d Hamlin said. \u201cThey weren\u2019t trying to protect safety or the schedule; they were trying to kill competition.\u201d<\/p>\n What Comes Next in the Court Process<\/p>\n The lawsuit<\/a>, filed in October 2024 in the Western District of North Carolina, is scheduled to go to trial on December 1, 2025.<\/p>\n The release of these private exchanges comes as NASCAR continues to face concerns about attendance and TV ratings. With more team owners and drivers calling for changes to how the sport operates, the court filings add new pressure on the leadership while the case moves forward.<\/p>\n \n\t\t\tDogli Wilberforce<\/a> is a sports writer who covers NASCAR, Formula 1 and IndyCar Series for Heavy Sports. With bylines at Total Apex Sports and Last Word on Sports, Wilberforce has built a reputation for delivering timely, engaging coverage that blends sharp analysis with accessible storytelling. Wilberforce has covered everything from major football transfers to fight-night drama, bringing readers the insight and context behind the headlines. More about Dogli Wilberforce<\/a>\t\t<\/p>\n \n\t\t\tMore Heavy on NASCAR\n\t\t<\/p>\n \n\t\t\t\tLoading more stories\n\t\t<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t