Overview
- Two days of in‑court mediation ended without a settlement, and the Oct. 23 summary‑judgment hearing concluded with no ruling as Judge Kenneth D. Bell targeted decisions within roughly two weeks.
- The federal jury trial remains scheduled for Dec. 1 in Charlotte, with additional November court dates set for expert-related matters.
- 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports claim NASCAR’s charter system enforces exclusive‑dealing and noncompete terms that suppress competition and depress team payments.
- NASCAR rejects the monopoly allegations, defends charters as pro‑competitive and stable, and countersues by accusing the teams and investor Curtis Polk of organizing an illegal cartel and threatening a boycott.
- Michael Jordan attended the hearing as attorney Jeffrey Kessler voiced confidence in the teams’ case, and the Drivers Advisory Council was allowed to file an amicus brief seeking a stronger collective driver voice.