After 14 months of back and forth, the NASCAR antitrust charter lawsuit finally seems to come to an end. The way it was going on, it didn’t show signs of slowing down, but things changed after Jim France’s testimony in the court yesterday.

France came in the stands, and as Bob Pockrass mentioned, the “85 minutes of Jim France answering questions by Kessler were filled with the soft-spoken France giving many many answers where he didn’t know or didn’t recall specifics of any meetings, financials, etc.” But now, as the settlement news is here, the plaintiff teams couldn’t be happier as France was forced to mould his stance on the status of the charters.

Hamlin’s bold stand as Jim France loses his stance

One of the happiest people in the plaintiff teams was 23XI Racing co-owner Denny Hamlin, who couldn’t help but let out his feelings after the lawsuit reaches a settlement.

“Standing up isn’t easy, but progress never comes from staying silent. The reward is in knowing you changed something,” said Denny Hamlin.

He’s proud that he’s changed the sport in some way. And what is that change exactly? Something that Jim France was against until yesterday.

All this while, including yesterday’s testimony, Jim France stated how he was against making the charters permanent. In fact, Bob Pockrass mentioned, “The direct examination of Jim France included going through letters from Joe Gibbs, Rick Hendrick, Roger Penske and Jack Roush pleading with him for, among other things, permanent charters. Childress also sent a similar letter.”

But despite this, France stuck to his point. The reason he gave for keeping the charters temporary was “I don’t know how you can set anything in this changing world we’re in as permanent. I’m just not comfortable making agreements that go on forever.”

But now, as per the settlement, the charters will be “evergreen”, meaning the teams can now keep their charters permanently. Plus, the teams will also share in international revenue for the first time, as per the settlement. They will get 1/3rd of the intellectual property revenue, which includes the broadcasting deal.

Jim France, in a stark reversal, issued a statement: “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.”

He added, “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.”

A sense of force optimism was seen in France’s words, as he had to ultimately settle for something very different from his original stance, which made other teams look greedy.

Ultimately, Hamlin’s gloating remarks serve as a bold statement that the status quo has shifted. The message from the drivers and teams is clear: they are no longer passive players but active shapers of the sport’s destiny.

For Jim France and NASCAR leadership, adapting to this new reality while maintaining the sport’s identity will be the challenge and opportunity of this pivotal moment.

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What teams had to say about the settlement

Denny Hamlin’s resolute words set the tone for a collective exhale from team owners after the NASCAR charter settlement. He captured the essence of the fight, stating his lifelong passion drove the stand:

“I’ve cared deeply about the sport of NASCAR my entire life… That’s why we were willing to shoulder the challenges… for a stronger and more sustainable future.” His sealed it: “Standing up isn’t easy, but progress never comes from staying silent. The reward is in knowing you changed something.”

Michael Jordan, co-owner of 23XI Racing, echoed this vision of evolution. “From the beginning, this lawsuit was about progress… making sure our sport evolves in a way that supports everyone: teams, drivers, partners, employees, and fans,” he said.

Jordan highlighted the new equity foundation and stronger voice for future decisions, expressing excitement for teams to compete fiercely in 2026. Curtis Polk, 23XI’s other co-owner, focused on structural wins from his Team Negotiating Committee role.

“My goal… was to help create an economic model that would create a more sustainable model for teams and create a more equitable and transparent system within NASCAR,” Polk noted.

He praised the settlement’s progress on the Four Pillars, aligning NASCAR with chartered teams for stakeholder sustainability and fan benefits. Bob Jenkins of Front Row Motorsports added a veteran’s optimism after two decades in the sport.

“Today gives me real confidence in where we’re headed… a system that treated our teams, drivers, and sponsors fairly,” Jenkins shared.

He celebrated the shift toward long-term value and a genuine voice in NASCAR’s direction, looking forward for garage crews, fans, and lovers of the sport alike. That full arc paved the way for restoring charters, boosting access, and flipping focus to the Daytona 500, handing Hamlin’s crew the win they gloated over.