The high-stakes antitrust lawsuit pitting NASCAR against Cup Series teams 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports (FRM) concluded abruptly on Thursday (December 11) with a settlement. After both parties agreed on a settlement, 23XI owners Michael Jordan and Denny Hamlin and NASCAR Chairman Jim France released statements reflecting the impact and gravity of the agreement.The core of the legal dispute, which began in October 2024, centered on the NASCAR charter system and ended on the ninth day of the trial after 14 months. Thursday morning, both sides came to Judge Kenneth Bell, and soon after, the jury was asked to leave for a one-hour recess. After discussing with the judge, both teams’ attorneys and NASCAR have agreed on a settlement.23XI's Jordan, Hamlin, and NASCAR CEO France released defining statements that underscore what this settlement means for the sport.Retired NBA great and 23XI Racing co-owner Jordan framed the lawsuit not as a battle but as always about evolving the sport for the benefit of all stakeholders.In a statement Jordan said:“From the beginning, this lawsuit was about progress. It 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. I'm excited to watch our teams get back on the track and compete hard in 2026.”The second 23XI co-owner and Joe Gibbs Racing driver Denny Hamlin spoke passionately about the necessity of the fight for industry stability. His statement reads:“I've cared deeply about the sport of NASCAR my entire life. Racing is all I've ever known, and this sport shaped who I am. That's why we were willing to shoulder the challenges that came with taking this stand. We believed it was worth fighting for a stronger and more sustainable future for everyone in the industry. Teams, drivers, and partners will now have the stability and opportunity they deserve.”“Our commitment to the fans and to the entire NASCAR community has never been stronger. I'm proud of what we've accomplished, and now it is time to move forward together and build the stronger future this sport deserves,” he continued.“Reaffirms our commitment to preserving and enhancing that value”: NASCAR on settlement with 23XI-FRMThe financial terms of the settlement weren’t announced immediately, but both sides confirmed that all charter holders will get an updated version to sign with an evergreen provision.NASCAR Chairman Jim France framed the settlement as a reaffirmation of the sanctioning body’s commitment to both the charter model and the fan experience. He admitted that the agreement was a way to ensure unforgettable racing and preserve the value of the charter system.In a statement, France said:“This outcome gives 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. We 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. Today's 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.”The 2026 NASCAR Cup Series season is set to begin with the prestigious Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway on Sunday, February 15.