NASCAR has made concessions. Or, at least that’s what they claim.
NASCAR president Steve Phelps has told 23XI Racing that “NASCAR has made several concessions and compromises” while negotiating the 2025 Charter Agreement, in a letter signed by Phelps to the organization last month.
The letter was part of the exhibits released when a preliminary injunction was filed by 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports. 23XI and FRM are seeking to race as charter teams in 2025 as the legal process plays out, but without giving up their antitrust claims.
Phelps wrote that:
– NASCAR agreed to meet well in advance of the timeline outlined in the existing charter agreement to begin good faith renewal obligations
– NASCAR agreed to extend the term length beyond the current media rights agreement
– NASCAR agreed to renewal right protections
– NASCAR created a team advisory committee to solicit additional input from the teams on major strategic decisions for the industry
– NASCAR absorbed all costs of hosting and maintaining the team website on NASCAR’s platform
– NASCAR lowered the transfer fee from the initial proposal
– NASCAR waived the debt limits, increased the amount of private equity participation, and worked with teams around the transfer language
– NASCAR agreed to increase the financial position of the teams, making them the largest beneficiary of the media revenues to the financial detriment of other industry stakeholders.
The correspondence is the only insight into NASCAR’s approach to the matter as they have not issued a public statement on the lawsuit. 23XI and Front Row are represented by Jeffrey Kessler of Winston & Strawn while NASCAR is represented by Chris Yates of Latham & Yates.
The antitrust lawsuit brought against NASCAR by 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports now has lawyers on both sides.
Representing the teams is Jeffrey Kessler of Winston and Strawn, who famously secured name, image and likeness (NIL) rights for NCAA athletes and won equal pay rights for the United States Women’s National Soccer Team and he will argue his case opposed by Chris Yates of Latham & Watkins.
Yates represented the Ultimate Fighting Championship in a class action lawsuit brought forth by over 1,000 fighters who claimed the MMA promotion violated antitrust laws. That case reached a $375 million settlement.
He represents Fanatics, who Panini has sued over an allegation that it is engaging in anti-competitive conduct through its long-term exclusive licensing deals with top leagues and athletes, following in acquisition of competitor Toops and manufacturer GC Packaging, LLC while also ‘raiding’ key Panini employee groups.
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As the devastation wrought by Hurricane Helene grows clearer by the day, four of North Carolina’s leading companies have pledged a combined $2 million donation to Samaritan’s Purse in support of relief efforts in western North Carolina and throughout the Southeast.
Hendrick Automotive Group, Hendrick Motorsports, Sonic Automotive and Speedway Motorsports will make the collective gift to the Boone-based international relief organization, which is coordinating response across Florida, Georgia, North Carolina and Tennessee.
The companies are led by CEOs Rick Hendrick of Hendrick Automotive Group and Hendrick Motorsports, David B. Smith of Sonic Automotive, Inc., and Marcus Smith of Speedway Motorsports.
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JR Motorsports announced Virginia native Connor Hall will be the new driver behind the wheel of the No. 88 Chevrolet for the organization’s championship-winning Late Model program in 2025. Additionally, as previously announced by JRM, Bass Pro Shops will be back on board as the primary partner for 20 Late Model events throughout the upcoming season.
“We are very happy to be able to have someone of Connor’s caliber and experience join us in our Late Model program,” said JRM’s Senior Vice President of Motorsports L.W. Miller. “Seeing his many successes over the past several seasons makes us very excited to watch him continue that success in a JR Motorsports Late Model in 2025. Everyone at JRM is looking forward to seeing what he and Bryan (Shaffer) can do together in the Bass Pro Shops Chevrolet.”
Hall, the current points leader in the zMAX CARS Tour Late Model Stock Car division and the 2023 NASCAR Advance Auto Parts Weekly Series National Champion, succeeds Carson Kvapil in the seat as Kvapil moves full-time to the NASCAR Xfinity Series next season with JRM.
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Former Andretti Global team leader Michael Andretti has penned an open letter to the team’s followers. The communication comes in the wake of his recent standing down as team principal and the transition of power to investor Daniel Towriss.
“To Our Fans,
“I was born a racer. From an early age, I didn’t know anything different than life in the fast lane. Being a “son of” – be it a proud one – came with a high bar and, once I pressed the gas, I never looked back. I stopped at nothing to find success. I drove for the passion and love of the sport, but I won for the fear of losing. My father’s childhood dream became my destiny and together, we built a legacy and a family business.
“When my driving days slowed, I set my sights on creating a space that would inspire future drivers to go faster than I had. I believe that, together with the help of many very qualified and passionate team members, I have been able to do just that. For the past two decades, our team has seen the highest of highs and the lowest of lows. We’ve grown on a global level that I believe is still untouched in motorsport and we’ve seen some of the best talent in racing proudly wear the Andretti badge.
“Many of my best memories have come at the wheel of this organization, and I am so proud of what we have built. But decades of running flat out doesn’t come without sacrifice and, after much thought and reflection over the past several months, I came to the decision to take a step back. I’ve had a day-to-day operational role since even before I stepped out of the race car, and it’s time now to pass the baton to my partner and friend, Dan Towriss.
“As I make this decision for myself, my family and this team, I know this is somewhat of a shock to many, especially you, the fans, my extended family. For many of you, you’ve watched me grow up, or you’ve grown up right alongside of me, and no matter what moves we’ve made as a team, you’ve stuck by our side at every turn. It is not lost on me that the generations of Andretti fans are the best in the business. I’m honored to be considered a fan favorite, a role model and a friend. And I thank you for a lifetime of support and, in some cases, your brutal honesty.
“But I am not going away – I will be serving as an advisor for the team and will be available to help wherever I can. While you might see me less at the racetrack, know that my passion for the sport and my support for our team, and its people, will remain unwavering.
“My hope is that you, as Andretti fans, will keep supporting our team with the same enthusiasm and loyalty that you’ve so graciously shown myself and my family over the years.
“I’m excited about the opportunity to spend more time with my beautiful family, including my 10-year-old twins, embrace my new Nonno title and explore new things on a personal level and with my other businesses. So, this isn’t a goodbye. It is just the turning of the page.”
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All-Tech Raceway in Lake City, Fla., serves as the opening venue for the 2025 Northeast dirt Modified division, hosting the Bob Hilbert Sportswear Short Track Super Series (STSS) Fueled By Sunoco for the annual ‘Sunshine Swing’ Tuesday-Saturday Feb. 4-8.
Both the STSS Modifieds and STSS Crate 602 Sportsman will tackle the ultra-racy Lake City facility for the sixth consecutive year.
The 12th Short Track Super Series season will get the green flag at the Durrance family’s half-mile oval.
“All-Tech has become a must-attend event for Short Track Super Series competitors since we made our debut there in 2020,” STSS organizer Brett Deyo said. “Wendell Durrance and his staff show year after year why All-Tech earns the nickname of the ‘Hidden Gem of the South’ with the facility, grounds and track surface.”
The 2025 Modified season gets underway on Tuesday, Feb. 4, with an Open Practice session.
Four consecutive nights of racing follow for Short Track Super Series divisions, concluding on Saturday
“After five successful Short Track Super Series visits to Florida, the ‘Sunshine Swing’ has become a staple event on our schedule,” Deyo added. “That tradition continues into 2025.”
STSS Modified and STSS Crate 602 Sportsman ‘Sunshine Swing’ champions will be crowned on Florida soil in February.
2024 ‘Sunshine Swing’ point title winners were Matt Sheppard of Savannah, N.Y. (STSS Modified) and Payton Talbot of South New Berlin, N.Y. (STSS Crate 602 Sportsman). Talbot is sponsored by Belmont’s Garage in Langhorne, PA.
Complete event details, registrations and camping information will be released in the coming weeks.
All-Tech Raceway is located at 1024 SW Howell Road, Lake City, FL 32024, conveniently between Jacksonville and Gainesville. To learn more, call 386.754.RACE (7223), visit www.alltechraceway.com or like ‘All-Tech Raceway’ on Facebook.
To learn more about the Short Track Super Series Fueled By Sunoco, visit www.shorttracksuperseries.com, e-mail [email protected], check out ‘Short Track Super Series’ on Facebook, @ShortTrack_SS on Twitter or @ShortTrackSS on Instagram.
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Ernie Saxton is an auto racing contributor for MediaNews Group. He co-founded the Eastern Motorsports Press Association, served as public relations director for Grandview Speedway for 47 years, and is in multiple halls of fame for his promotion and journalism related to the sport. He has announced races at more than 100 tracks, and he is the only person to have announced a race at Madison Square Garden. Email him at [email protected].
