Dale Earnhardt Jr. reacts to latest developments in NASCAR vs. 23XI, Front Row lawsuit

This week, the NASCAR lawsuit took on a different direction. Dale Earnhardt Jr. just wants it to wrap up before it goes to trial. The Hall of Famer is not a fan of the lawsuit, and this week, he and many fans saw a light at the end of the tunnel.

Last week, NASCAR submitted a filing that included statements from multiple team owners, both charter owners and Open teams. They submitted those declarations in an attempt to bolster their argument to the court.

NASCAR also made it known publicly for the first time that they would be open to settling this case. However, they asked for a different mediator, preferably a judge, to oversee those discussions. The two sides have already been dealing with a mediator who is seen as possibly favoring the teams over NASCAR.

Dale Earnhardt Jr. summed up his thoughts in a sentence before going into the details. “I think the lawsuit is wearing on some folks,” he said on the Dale Jr. Download this week.

The JR Motorsports team owner went into the details for listeners. He also gave his take on what NASCAR was thinking with those letters.

“So, it opened up the door, I guess, for 23XI and Front Row to say, ‘Hey, these letters already say everything we’ve already said.’ Nine of the thirteen charter teams submitted signed declarations, and basically, both sides argued that it was positive for each one,” Dale Jr. said. “NASCAR thought it was good for the teams to come out and say that the charter system is good. But no one, I don’t believe, would step in and actually say, ‘We’re with NASCAR on this.’ No. I think NASCAR was kind of hoping that would be the end messaging, summary.”

Dale Earnhardt Jr. thinks both sides have looked bad

Speaking further about the lawsuit, Dale Earnhardt Jr. believes it has been a bad look all around for the sport. Perhaps it is the fatigue of a year-long lawsuit at this point and we haven’t gotten to trial. Then there is the concern about the effects of the trial should it happen.

Even Judge Kenneth Bell has pleaded with both sides to settle. This could change the sport forever, good or bad, but it is a risk. Is it a risk both sides are willing to take? Perhaps.

“I think there is some concern that this is actively, as we speak, been detrimental to the success of NASCAR,” Earnhardt said. “It’s turned a bunch of people off, I think it’s turned a bunch of people away. It has not done NASCAR, or, it’s not done either side any favors. It’s kind of got a little ugly and personal at times. It’s not been a great look at certain times for both sides. I’m on the boat that aboslutely wishes this would get settled, soon. Everybody’s tired of this, and I don’t know what it would take to get both sides happy. I think everybody’s got their heels dug in and there’s some pride, some ego involved.”

Michael Jordan and Denny Hamlin? Jim France? Come on, surely those guys don’t have pride and big egos. Okay, sarcasm off now. It is plain to see that the lawsuit is wearing thin on everyone involved and the fans. Talk of settling is starting to pick up, and maybe where there is smoke, there will be fire.