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Denny Hamlin fires shot at ESPN, NASCAR ahead of highly anticipated antitrust trial

JHby: Jonathan Howard11/28/25Jondean25

Just days ahead of the highly anticipated antitrust trial between NASCAR and two of its teams, Denny Hamlin has had enough. The 23XI Racing team owner and party to this lawsuit and trial unloaded on ESPN and a NASCAR representative today.

Earlier today, Ryan McGee of ESPN published an article with an explainer on the antitrust lawsuit between NASCAR and two teams, 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports. Denny Hamlin did not like the way McGee portrayed the situation.

“Please give credit to [Mike Forde] for helping you write this propaganda piece that they want pushed to switch the narrative,” Hamlin replied on Twitter/X.com. “Continuous lies about our stance, NASCARs motives for its actions, and continued message from the sanctioning body that everything is fine. Our fans know better.”

Mike Forde is the NASCAR managing director of racing communications. He is also one of the hosts of the Hauler Talk podcast. Denny Hamlin and Forde have had a contentious relationship in the past regarding statements from NASCAR and things as trivial as green flag pass stats.

Clearly, the lawsuit and upcoming trial are full of emotion. There have been things revealed in discovery and through exhibits that no one really wanted revealed. But now it is out there. Personal attacks, financial details, and more. So, we’ll see where this all goes here in just three days time.

Denny Hamlin won’t be in courtroom during trial

While Curtis Polk, Denny Hamlin, and Michael Jordan are all owners in 23XI Racing and have a right to be present at trial as parties to the case, only one will be in the courtroom. Due to the three owners also being witnesses who will testify at trial, the court is sequestering two of them so as not to influence their testimony when it is their turn.

This is a rather common practice. Michael Jordan has been selected as the 23XI representative who will be present throughout the trial. With a jury in the room, it is not hard to see why the Plaintiffs would want MJ front and center.

Clearly, Denny Hamlin feels how he feels about this case. It is a personal case in many ways. Even if it wasn’t a year ago when it was filed, it has turned personal. When the trial is over, that doesn’t mean this case is over, either.

Whichever side ends up coming out on the losing side will likely appeal to the 4th Circuit. For what it’s worth, the 4th Circuit has heard one appeal in this case. It was a ruling in NASCAR’s favor. Ultimately, that ruling took charter status from the teams. Something to keep in mind as we think about the trial ahead, and beyond.