"We could've made a difference": Dale Jr. and Kelley Earnhardt deliver blunt assessment of NASCAR's lawsuit crisis

In a new Dirty Mo Media YouTube video, Kelley Earnhardt and Dale Earnhardt Jr. have discussed the ongoing NASCAR lawsuit. Both claimed that they were looking at the situation from a neutral perspective, saying that since they do not own a Cup charter, it would have allowed them to look at the case without choosing sides.

The lawsuit between NASCAR, 23XI Racing, and Front Row Motorsports has uncovered financial details, long-standing disagreements, and concerns over the sport's management. It has also created worry among the fans, which is why Kelley and Dale Jr. decided to address it.

Dale Jr. opined that the case is moving slower than expected and that no one really knows where it is heading. According to him, people initially thought one side looked stronger, but things get complicated as the trial stretches.

“It’s been dominating my thoughts if I let it. I think there’s a lot of concern about what the end result of all of this is going to be,” he siad. [35:48]

Kelley Earnhardt shared a different angle, saying that the situation had left her disappointed because of what it meant for the sport and its people. She said:

“I’m sad that this is the position the sport is in. I’m sad for the sport and the fans and all the people that have supported NASCAR.” [38:47]

Kelley Earnhardt and Dale Jr. both said that the trial is difficult to follow because the schedule keeps changing, and the judge has warned both sides to move faster. They also mentioned that the judge had originally planned the trial for two weeks, which may extend to three or four.

More context from the courtroom shows how tense things have become. Day 7 of the trial included testimonies from economist Edward Snyder, accountant Anthony Smith, NASCAR Commissioner Steve Phelps, team owner Richard Childress, and NASCAR CEO Jim France.

Judge Kenneth Bell pushed the schedule longer because the slow pace risked stretching the trial past his target. Snyder defended his financial model against heavy questioning. Smith said many teams have run at a loss in recent years. Phelps discussed revenue, cost caps, and concerns about rival series. Childress spoke briefly about permanent charters and the financial strain on his team.

Many of Jim France's answers were “I don’t recall” and “I don’t know,” raising more questions about NASCAR’s position. He is expected to continue his testimony before the defense brings up its witnesses.

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Kelley Earnhardt remembers Michael Annett with simple message of support

Kelley Earnhardt reacted to Michael Annett’s death (December 5) with a short message on JR Motorsports’ Instagram page. She wrote:

“Heartbroken and sad. Thankful for the time we had to know Michael and his family.”

Annett raced in the Xfinity Series from 2008 to 2021. His biggest moment came in 2019 when he won the season opener at Daytona with JR Motorsports, which Kelley Earnhardt operates with Dale Earnhardt Jr. He also competed with Germain Racing, Rusty Wallace Racing, and Richard Petty Motorsports during his time in NASCAR.

Before Xfinity, Annett drove in the ARCA Menards Series and earned two wins with Bill Davis Racing; one came at Talladega in 2007 and the other at Daytona in 2008. He ran nine Truck Series races and made his final NASCAR start in 2021 at Phoenix.