In the ongoing NASCAR lawsuit, U.S. District Judge Kenneth Bell, in his hearing on August 28, cautioned that “everybody is going to get hurt if this thing goes a certain way,” highlighting the high stakes for the industry’s future. As the playoffs enter the final race of the Round of 16, the on-track drama isn’t the only thing keeping team owners and fans on edge.

Behind closed doors, one of the most pivotal legal battles in modern NASCAR history is quietly gaining steam. At its core, the case could redefine how teams negotiate their place in the sport and how much control NASCAR itself can hold over the money and the system that fuels it. Now, one powerhouse ownership group is taking an aggressive next step. Here’s the latest update on the NASCAR antitrust lawsuit.

Michael Jordan and Co. demand summary judgment

NASCAR’s ongoing legal battle with 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports recently took a significant turn when the teams filed a motion for summary judgment against NASCAR’s counterclaim. NASCAR had accused the two teams of illegal collusion, alleging they coordinated with drivers and sponsors to pressure NASCAR for better charter terms. This counterclaim alleges anti-competitive behavior aimed at manipulating negotiations for charter agreements.

Their argument is clear. NASCAR’s claim doesn’t have enough weight to move forward, and there’s no need to spend more time, money, or resources litigating it. If the judge doesn’t grant this summary judgment, the teams have made another request. That this counterclaim be split into its own separate trial, set for 2026. That would allow the main NASCAR lawsuit, scheduled for December, to proceed without getting bogged down by what they view as a distraction.

According to the filing, 23XI and FRM point out that NASCAR voluntarily agreed to joint negotiations with the teams and that there was no boycott or restriction on individual talks. In other words, they argue that there was no illegal restraint of trade, the very backbone of NASCAR’s counterclaim.

Earlier, during the August 28 hearing, U.S. District Judge Kenneth Bell warned the sport could be fundamentally altered if a settlement isn’t reached before the trial in December. Leaked texts revealed heated exchanges, including threats of boycotts and personal insults toward NASCAR leadership.

Scott Prime, NASCAR executive vice president and chief strategy officer, wrote to other executives, “We have all the leverage and the teams will almost have to sign whatever terms we put in front of them.” On the other hand, Denny Hamlin was quoted as saying, “My despise for the France family runs deep…Jim [France] dying is probably the answer.” Furthermore, both sides presented strong arguments about contracts, financial fairness, and control. Jordan emphasized that his fight is for all NASCAR teams, seeking structural changes to improve the sport.

This recent filing adds yet another layer to the NASCAR lawsuit that has the potential to reshape the sport’s business model. With NASCAR’s response due on October 3, all eyes will be on whether the court grants the request or sets the stage for two separate trials. Either way, the legal battle is far from over, and the outcome could redefine how teams and the sanctioning body share power and revenue in the years to come. But amidst this, the co-owner has decided not to let it affect the current season.

Tunnel vision for Denny Hamlin, no distractions

Even Denny Hamlin’s crew chief, Chris Gayle, has made his point crystal clear. Hamlin isn’t letting anything, not even a multi-million-dollar lawsuit with NASCAR, interfere with his pursuit of a title. The court battle might be headline news in the garage, but inside the No. 11 team’s camp, it’s business as usual.

“He knows what he wants out of this last part of his career and he’s very focused on not letting these other things that could be distractions for others be a distraction for him,” Gayle explained. “I spend a little more time with him and I watch him come in here for competition meetings and for our simulator sessions, and I don’t hear anything about the lawsuit, what’s going on at home.”

That clarity of purpose is paying off. Hamlin’s win at St. Louis locked him into the next round of the playoffs, giving him a rare chance to approach Bristol with a little less pressure. Instead of survival mode, the team can focus on pure speed, using this race as a chance to experiment, test setups, and prepare for the bigger battles ahead.

Gayle also hinted that Hamlin’s level of preparation right now is some of the best he’s seen in years. Five wins already this season are proof of that, but the crew chief believes the driver’s mental state is equally crucial. “It’s totally focused on the race car, on the 11 car and what we need to do to make it better,” Gayle said.

For Hamlin, this might be the final shot at putting together a full, clean postseason run before retirement talk becomes impossible to ignore. And if his current approach is any indication, nothing short of a championship will satisfy him. Lawsuits, distractions, and outside noise be damned.