“Denny f**king Hamlin”: Fans rejoice as 23XI-FRM and NASCAR reach settlement in antitrust trial

The high-stakes antitrust trial, pitting NASCAR against two Cup teams, 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports, has ended in a settlement that sent fans into a frenzy on Thursday.

The lawsuit began when 23XI, co-owned by NBA legend Michael Jordan and Cup Series veteran driver Denny Hamlin, and FRM refused to sign NASCAR's new charter agreement for the 2025 season. The teams argued that the agreement was unfair and that NASCAR acted as a monopoly, controlling race entry, revenue, and other key business decisions.

The trial opened this December, but the legal battle has now ended before the full case was presented before the jury. Lawyers for 23XI-FRM and NASCAR reached a deal that ended the trial on its ninth day. Fox Sports' Bob Pockrass reported from the federal court in Charlotte, North Carolina, writing:

"Case has officially settled. The jury has been dismissed. Judge said he feels like the settlement is good for NASCAR the entity and NASCAR the industry and ultimately the fans."

The full terms of the settlement were not immediately made public. But fans erupted with celebration.

"Denny f**king Hamlin," a fan replied.

Chris Majchrzak

@chrismyshack

@bobpockrass Denny f**king Hamlin.

"Denny Hamlin will be in the hall of fame 3 separate times," another fan commented.

Mark Johnson

@McLethalson

@bobpockrass Denny Hamlin will be in the hall of fame 3 separate times

Another said, "Phelps and O’Donnell heading to clean out their offices?"

Lucas

@lucas_1k_

@bobpockrass Phelps and O’Donnell heading to clean out their offices?

"Denny beats yalls favorite lawyer," another wrote.

Anderson

@_1017__

@bobpockrass Denny beats yalls favorite lawyer

The team's attorney, Jeffrey Kessler, has confirmed the settlement and noted that their charters will be returned for the 2026 season as part of the agreement.

Before the trial, the teams had fought for preliminary injunctions to secure chartered status for 2025, a bid that succeeded but was reversed on appeal.

23XI-FRM and NASCAR sides embrace after the settlement

The settlement was preceded by months of contentious interactions in and outside the court. 23XI-FRM and NASCAR exchanged sharp legal filings that laid out their frustrations and claims. Economic experts testified on behalf of the teams and said that NASCAR's revenue-sharing system shortchanged teams by hundreds of millions of dollars.

At one point, a professor testified that the sport underpaid teams more than $1 billion over four years. However, according to Jeff Gluck of The Athletic, Denny Hamlin and NASCAR Chairman Jim France exchanged handshakes and hugs after the settlement was announced in court.

"There was a big scene in the courtroom with handshakes and even hugs between all the participants on both sides. Even Denny Hamlin and Jim France hugged," part of Gluck's message on X read.

Jeff Gluck

@jeff_gluck

UPDATE::::: The NASCAR antitrust trial is officially over. The case has been settled. Judge Bell told the parties it was “the right thing to do” and congratulated both sides. ​Bell: “This is going to be great for the entity NASCAR, the industry NASCAR, the teams, the drivers, and as you have so often said yourselves, ultimately the fans.”​Bell added he was “very happy” with the settlement agreement.​Afterward, there was a big scene in the courtroom with handshakes and even hugs between all the participants on both sides.​Even Denny Hamlin and Jim France hugged.

The press release after the settlement also mentioned the changes to the charter agreements, including an ‘evergreen charter’ model that will apply to all teams in 2026. That change gives charters an ongoing status instead of fixed-term renewal. However, the financial terms of the settlement will not be released, the statement noted.