SHOCKING MOMENT: NASCAR PAUSES as Denny Hamlin unleashes CONSPIRACY CLAIM about Fans ahead of 23XI Trial
SHOCKING MOMENT: NASCAR PAUSES as Denny Hamlin unleashes CONSPIRACY CLAIM about Fans ahead of 23XI Trial
23XI Racing co-owner Denny Hamlin has taken to social media to share his belief that NASCAR fans have been lied to ahead of the highly anticipated trial.
Denny Hamlin’s 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports will take on NASCAR in a December trial (Image: Getty)
Denny Hamlin has long been stern in his belief that 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports will come out on top in their upcoming antitrust lawsuit against NASCAR, which is primarily aimed at the new charter agreement that all teams bar those two signed in 2024.
The lawsuit, filed in October 2024, alleges “monopolistic” behavior on the part of NASCAR and has seen its fair share of twists and turns in recent months, including failed settlement talks, a denied counterclaim by NASCAR, and temporary charter losses for both teams.
The pre-trial depositions have also unearthed some less-than-complimentary messages from NASCAR commissioner Steve Phelps regarding Hall of Famer and team owner Richard Childress, prompting him to threaten legal action, as well as from president Steve O’Donnell regarding Hamlin’s participation in the now-defunct Superstar Racing Experience (SRX), along with details about 23XI’s finances, and other inflammatory messages from both sides.
Ahead of the trial, where 23XI co-owner Michael Jordan will be in attendance on behalf of the ownership group, which also includes Hamlin and Curtis Polk, the Joe Gibbs Racing driver angrily lashed out at an article titled, “23XI vs. NASCAR trial: Why Jordan wants to tear up stock car racing.”
In a series of subsections, the ESPN article lays out “Who are the combatants?” “What’s the lawsuit about?” “What is the charter system?” “What was the breaking point for 23XI and Front Row?” “Who are the lawyers?” “How long will this go on?” “How contentious will this become?” and “What is the endgame for each side?”
23XI co-owner Michael Jordan will represent the team in court in Charlotte (Image: Getty)
In a comment on social media, Hamlin wrote, “Please give credit to @mforde (NASCAR’s managing director of racing communications) for helping you write this propaganda piece that they want pushed to switch the narrative.
“Continuous lies about our stance, NASCAR’s motives for its actions, and continued message from the sanctioning body that everything is fine. Our fans know better.”
The article’s author, Ryan McGee, said in response to the 44-year-old, “Tried to hit it down the middle, thus all the “(Fill in the blank) believes…” and “(Fill in the blank) argues…” Sorry you disagree, but thanks for reading. See you Monday.”
But Hamlin wasn’t going to let it lie, quickly replying with a conspiracy theory stating: “Our fans have been brainwashed with their talking points for decades. Narratives pushed by media who are intimidated by them. Lies are over starting Monday morning. It’s time for the truth. It’s time for change.”
Hamlin’s insistence that the “truth will out” has been evident for some time, telling reporters prior to his Cup Series win at the AutoTrader EchoPark Automotive 400 in July, “If you want answers, you want to understand why this is all happening, come December 1st, you’ll get the answers that you’re looking for and all will be exposed.”
Fast forward to the Xfinity 500, and pre-race, Hamlin commented on the failed settlement agreement, “I think both sides probably feel strong about their case. I think you sat in the courtroom, you heard the arguments. I’ll let you form your own opinion, but I think one of us is on a suicide mission.”
Whether or not this proves to be “a suicide mission,” or a failed attempt for change, which it appears some former drivers believe is long overdue, will soon begin to emerge from a mire of paperwork and clearly deep-seated personal grudges.
