Michael Jordan and Jim France head into a pivotal Week 2 as the NASCAR antitrust trial escalates

NASCAR entered Week 2 of its antitrust trial with 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports as the pressure around the case continued to grow. The first week set the tone, and now the next set of witnesses will decide how this lawsuit moves.

The central question is what makes this week so important for Michael Jordan, Jim France, and the direction of NASCAR. The answer is in the testimony still to come and how it may influence the jury’s view of whether the league used monopoly power to restrict teams and limit competition.

According to The Athletic, early testimony focused on how NASCAR handled charter talks, how teams felt cornered during negotiations, and how track exclusivity shaped the sport’s landscape. Witnesses alluded to rising costs, limited revenue options, and frustration tied to decisions at the top of the sport.

Week 2 shifts to the leaders. As The Athletic noted, NASCAR chairman and CEO Jim France is expected to take the stand, and his appearance will be a major moment. He was repeatedly described as the final decision maker during charter talks.

The jury will hear directly from him as attorneys argue over how NASCAR handled agreements with tracks, the structure of race team charters, and limits placed on outside series.

Other major figures, including Richard Childress and Rick Hendrick, could also testify, depending on schedules, giving the court a better idea about how the system worked behind the scenes.

According to FanBuzz, the case also continues to spotlight disagreements over finances. Teams said it costs around twenty million dollars to field a car each season, while NASCAR pointed to the money it invested in new venues and long-term facility upgrades. Attorneys for the league stressed that teams do not pay for tracks and that NASCAR carries the risk when adding new markets.

The upcoming cross-examinations will mainly focus on revenue splits, charter limits, and access to racetracks. Plaintiffs argue that those structures keep the sport controlled by NASCAR while preventing teams from exploring new opportunities.

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Jordan’s humor briefly cuts through the intensity of the NASCAR trial

On day five of the NASCAR antitrust trial, Michael Jordan brought a rare moment of relief during a tense courtroom session. According to information presented during the proceedings, Jordan spoke about how he entered stock car racing and ended up as a co-owner of 23XI Racing.

While explaining which drivers he followed growing up, he made a light remark about Cale Yarborough being the original number 11, then added,

“the original No. 11, sorry Denny,”

Jordan teased his business partner Denny Hamlin and drawing laughter from the room. The exchange continued later when NASCAR’s attorney thanked the 62-year-old for boosting his reputation in the eyes of his nine-year-old. Jordan pointed to the attorney’s shoes and replied,

“You’re not wearing your Jordans today.”

These lighter moments did not distract Jordan from making his final point. He said the sport needs a different revenue structure, one that gives teams a more stable financial base.