CHARLOTTE — NASCAR reached an agreement with 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports on Thursday, ending NASCAR\u2019s antitrust trial on its ninth day.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m pleased to say the parties have positively settled this matter in a way that will benefit the industry going forward,\u201d teams attorney Jeffrey Kessler told Judge Kenneth Bell.<\/p>\n
A document with terms of the settlement was reviewed by Bell, marking the end of the lawsuit brought on by 23XI and Front Row.<\/p>\n
NASCAR\u2019s antitrust trial stemmed from a bitter dispute over negotiations for a new agreement with the charter system that governs the relationship between NASCAR and its premier teams. 23XI and Front Row sued NASCAR Holdings for $365M in combined damages<\/a>. Through their lawyers led by Winston & Strawn, the two teams claimed NASCAR exerted monopsony power illegally and hurt the value of NASCAR teams as a result.<\/p>\n Some in the jury pumped their fist as Judge Bell told them that the trial is over, following the settlement. Bell said the result is \u201cgreat for NASCAR the entity, for NASCAR the industry, teams, drivers and ultimately for the fans, so I\u2019m very happy at this resolution.\u201d<\/p>\n After the trial\u2019s conclusion, Kessler said NASCAR had agreed to evergreen charters \u201cforever.\u201d The sides say that financial terms of the settlement won\u2019t be announced but confirmed that all charter holders will get an updated version to sign with an evergreen provision.<\/p>\n \u201cWe believe it\u2019s a settlement that\u2019s going to grow this sport. That\u2019s going to be great for the teams and for NASCAR, but most importantly for the fans,\u201d Kessler said. \u201cThis case was filed 15 months ago. This was never about just 23XI. It was never just about Front Row. It was about trying to do something that was great for everyone. And as part of this deal, we are going to have evergreen charters that will be available forever.\u201d<\/p>\n In a team statement, 23XI co-owners Michael Jordan and Denny Hamlin both echoed Kessler\u2019s satisfaction and optimism about the settlement.<\/p>\n \u201cFrom the beginning, this lawsuit was about progress,\u201d Jordan said. \u201cIt was about making sure our sport evolves in a way that supports everyone: teams, drivers, partners, employees, and fans. With a foundation to build equity and invest in the future and a stronger voice in the decisions ahead, we now have the chance to grow together and make the sport even better for generations to come.\u201d<\/p>\n Said Hamlin: \u201cI\u2019m proud of what we\u2019ve accomplished, and now it is time to move forward together and build the stronger future this sport deserves.\u201d<\/p>\n Bell told the jury before he dismissed them that they are now free to talk about the case or not to whomever, so some could eventually speak out publicly on their thoughts on the trial. The judge repeatedly praised the jury for being engaged, with Bell saying that his assistant called the nine-member group \u201cher favorite jury of all time.\u201d <\/p>\n Bell said the jury helped bring about the settlement, adding that he knows in some ways it will be \u201cdispiriting\u201d to them that they sat through eight full days of trial and didn\u2019t ultimately get to render a verdict. But he added: \u201cSometimes the parties just need to see how the case unfolds to see the wisdom of settlement.\u201d<\/p>\n NASCAR chairman and CEO Jim France said in a statement that the outcome \u201cgives all parties the flexibility and confidence to continue delivering unforgettable racing moments for our fans, which has always been our highest priority since the sport was founded in 1948.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWe worked closely with race teams to create the NASCAR charter system in 2016, and it has proven invaluable to their operations and to the quality of racing across the Cup Series,\u201d France said. \u201cToday\u2019s agreement reaffirms our commitment to preserving and enhancing that value, ensuring our fans continue to enjoy the very best of stock car racing for generations to come.\u201d<\/p>\n Other NASCAR team owners celebrated the end of the trial and the beginning of a new day in the sport.<\/p>\n Roger Penske called the settlement \u201ctremendous news for the industry.\u201d The Team Penske owner said in a statement: \u201cWe are stronger together as a sport and the agreement today allows all of us to focus on what\u2019s important, the continued growth of NASCAR.\u201d<\/p>\n Rick Hendrick also emphasized the importance of getting back to focusing on \u201cthe future of the sport.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThis moment presents an important opportunity to strengthen our relationships and recommit ourselves to building a collaborative and prosperous future for all stakeholders,\u201d the Hendrick Motorsports owner said in a statement.<\/p>\n .@NASCAR<\/a> has agreed to evergreen charters “forever,” per Jeffrey Kessler. pic.twitter.com\/TFIiYWkySA<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Adam Stern (@A_S12) December 11, 2025<\/a>