13 months have passed since Michael Jordan launched the NASCAR lawsuit. Since then, 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports have been in legal turmoil, with both teams losing their charters earlier this season. Recently, that turmoil reached a boiling point and threatened to spill over, affecting the entire Cup Series garage. Hence, the bells of alarm woke up Jordan’s peers, who urged for a settlement.

That is why the two teams and NASCAR embarked on a mediation. The goal of this conference is simple: to achieve common ground or to risk undermining one side’s defense. Yet the details of this ongoing conference are still a mystery.

Tight-lipped about the NASCAR lawsuit meeting

This is an important week for the NASCAR lawsuit. Before preparation began for a trial by jury in a Charlotte courtroom on December 1, both parties engaged in mediation. Judge Kenneth D. Bell was present at the conference on Tuesday to ensure that the opposing sides engaged in good faith. Both NASCAR and Michael Jordan’s faction are now seeking settlement terms, leaving the rest of the sport jittery with anxiety. However, no information is available yet.

Journalist Adam Stern posted a video of the 23XI/FRM group leaving the NASCAR lawsuit’s conference venue on X. Jeffrey Kessler, the attorney of Michael Jordan, chose to divulge nothing at the moment. He simply said, “We’ve agreed to resume the discussions tomorrow, and we have no other comments.” This may set off ripples of tension in the sport. If nothing materializes on Wednesday, there is a hearing scheduled for Thursday. Both sides have asked Judge Bell to issue a summary judgment against the other.

In October 2024, thirteen teams had signed the charter deal that 23XI and FRM refused to sign and used as the basis for the lawsuit. Recently, nine of those 13 charter teams were worried about the NASCAR lawsuit permanently changing the complexion of the sport and stock car racing. Hence, they drove the parties to try and reach a settlement.

On August 5, there was a single mediation session with Jeffrey Mishkin, former Executive Vice President of the NBA. Since that produced no positive momentum, the court granted NASCAR’s motion to have Judge Kenneth D. Bell as the moderator. However, it also required both parties to use the pre-existing mediator Mishkin.

While the outcome of the NASCAR lawsuit remains uncertain, the future 23XI Racing candidate also hangs in the balance.

Offering as much security as possible

As we all know, one phenomenal driver is setting the Truck Series on fire this year. Corey Heim picked up 10 trophies throughout the 2025 season. Now, the Tricon Garage driver is heading towards a long-awaited Craftsman Truck Series championship. While pursuing a Truck title, Heim was building his future ambition as well. He wheeled the No. 67 Toyota for 23XI at select Cup Series races, notably finishing 6th in Bristol. However, the ongoing NASCAR lawsuit might derail Heim’s trajectory of stardom.

Yet Denny Hamlin, co-owner of 23XI Racing, assured the press that Corey Heim has a secure future. The team has apparently planned things for the 23-year-old racer even amidst the wild uncertainty of the legal fight. Upon being asked if the outcome of the lawsuit would affect Heim’s future, Hamlin replied, “Well, I mean, I think that obviously the outcome of December 1st, you know, will dictate a lot of things.” He added, “But, again, he’s a development driver for 23XI. He’s got races on his schedule as, as of right now. And we don’t see any of that changing.”

A lot of futures are at stake in the NASCAR lawsuit, not just Corey Heim’s. We can only wait until the end of this week to know if the case is going to trial or not.