Denny Hamlin’s testimony resumed on Day 2 of the antitrust trial between 23XI Racing-Front Row Motorsports and NASCAR. It brought another round of sharp exchanges over the sport’s business model, the teams’ financial pressure, and his public comments about the Next Gen era.Hamlin’s appearance came after an opening day that included disputes over who could remain in the courtroom and about NASCAR's control over charters. On Tuesday, 2 December, the focus shifted entirely to Hamlin. He returned to the stand for over three hours, continuing about the financial issues he faces.As reported by FOX Sports, during cross-examination, NASCAR attorneys pointed out that Hamlin had publicly supported the sport’s direction in multiple interviews and podcasts. The Joe Gibbs Racing driver explained that speaking honestly in public often brought consequences. He had appeared on the Kenny Conversation podcast in July 2024, where Hamlin had called the Next Gen “a net-positive.”Joseph Srigley of Racing America quoted Hamlin’s reply from the stand on X :“Because if I say anything bad, I get a lashing from NASCAR. So, publicly, it’s all sunshine and rainbows.”Denny Hamlin said that he was expected to repeat the sport’s message and described it as a promotional duty expected of top drivers. He acknowledged that the same applied to when he praised the Mexico City race earlier this year. The veteran driver told the court those were NASCAR’s talking points, not a sign that all issues had been resolved.The questioning then shifted to the lawsuit’s financial stakes. 23XI Racing and FRM are seeking $205 million in damages, and NASCAR pressed Hamlin on why the teams claim such losses when internal emails show that a 10 percent return on investment would be considered strong. Hamlin dismissed those characterizations, calling them “nonsense” and pointing to the volatility teams face if even one sponsor pulls out. He noted that 23XI brings in about $40 million in sponsorship but operates on thin margins because costs continue to rise.Denny Hamlin also revealed personal investments of around $45 million into 23XI Racing, via loans and personal guarantees. NASCAR argued the true figure is closer to $10 million and said that the combined owner investment is $26,985,000. The sanctioning body also stressed that 23XI has seen significant gains, with an estimated $160.2 million valuation at the end of 2024.Denny Hamlin reveals real cost of running 23XI during NASCAR's cross-examination on Day 2 of trial: “Never did this to get rich”Denny Hamlin (L) and Jordan Fish depart the Charlotte Federal court on December 1. Source: GettyAccording to 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports, the purpose of owning charters is stability, not major profits. Denny Hamlin said that the team’s goal has always been simple: invest in the sport, keep the operation viable, and enjoy competing at the highest level.Hamlin outlined the team’s financial track record - $2.5 million in profit in 2022, $3.5 million in 2023, and what he expected would be more than $5 million annually in 2025. The team lost money in 2024, but Hamlin noted that $1 million of that loss was related-party rent paid for 23XI headquarters, Airspeed, co-owned by him and Michael Jordan. Court filings also included emails between Hamlin, Curtis Polk, and team president Steve Lauletta, where he said:“Never did this to get rich... owning a team will never be a major profit,” (via Joseph Srigley)Denny Hamlin used that exchange to explain the financial picture. He said that the team’s numbers look healthy on paper, but rely on sponsorship stability, most of which comes due to Jordan. The business is fragile, and the profit margins are thin because of high costs. The team built the Airspeed shop for $35 million - a figure that ballooned from $9–10 million before COVID, and paid $28 million for a third charter from Stewart-Haas Racing.Hamlin’s testimony had concluded before lunch, and NASCAR confirmed it would not call him back. That allows him to remain in the courtroom for the rest of the proceedings. With Hamlin dismissed, the trial now moves to NASCAR executive Scott Prime on the stand as Day 2 continues.