Denny Hamlin Keeps Calm Amid Legal Battle with NASCAR
BROOKLYN, Mich. – Denny Hamlin, 23XI Racing owner alongside Michael Jordan, is not intimidated by the recent court decision in the antitrust lawsuit against NASCAR.Hamlin assured that both he and Michael Jordan maintain confidence in the situation.“That’s just a small part of all the litigation,” Hamlin stated on Saturday, a day before the FireKeepers Casino 400.
Denny Hamlin
The decision by a three-judge federal panel to overturn a preliminary injunction that required NASCAR to recognize 23XI and Front Row as teams with franchise status has not affected Hamlin’s stance.
23XI and Front Row filed a lawsuit against NASCAR late last year after refusing to sign new franchise renewal agreements. They requested a temporary restraining order recognizing them as teams with status for this season, but the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals in Richmond, Virginia, ruled in favor of NASCAR on Thursday.
“We are analyzing all options at the moment,” Hamlin added.
Denny Hamlin
The teams, which have yet to achieve victories this year, argued that they needed the injunction because the current franchise agreement prohibits them from suing NASCAR. 23XI also argued that it would be harmed because Tyler Reddick’s contract would have made him a free agent if the team could not guarantee him a franchise-protected car.
Hamlin insisted that he is not worried about losing drivers due to the uncertainty.Reddick, who was the regular season champion last year and competed for the Cup title in November, comes to Sunday’s race in Michigan in sixth place in the Cup standings.“I’m not focused on that at the moment,” he stated.
Denny Hamlin
The franchise system is similar to franchises in other sports, but the franchises are revocable by NASCAR and have expiration dates.
The six teams might have to compete as “open” cars and would have to qualify by speed each week to participate in the race, receiving a fraction of the money.
Without a franchise, Hamlin said it would cost teams “tens of millions” to run three cars.
“We are committed to racing this season open if necessary. We are going to race and fulfill all our commitments no matter what. We are here to race. Our team will be here for the long term and we are sure of that,” concluded Hamlin.
Denny Hamlin
The antitrust case is not scheduled to be tried until December.
NASCAR has not specified what it would do with the six franchises held by the two organizations if they are returned to the sanctioning body. There are 36 chartered cars for a field of 40 cars.“We felt the facts were on our side. I think if you listen to the judges, they even mentioned that we could be in really good shape,” he concluded.
Denny Hamlin
