As the NASCAR trial goes through its second week, eye-opening testimonies are unfolding. 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports’ witnesses have so far created a stir in the courtroom, revealing figures of severe economic loss to teams and team owners. NASCAR, in its part, roped in the big guns like CEO Jim France to the stand. Their second high-profile witness, however, was unable to attend.

NASCAR trial loses a trump card

“After the jury dismissed for lunch, Judge Bell oversaw a dispute between Jeffrey Kessler (teams) and Chris Yates (NASCAR.) Yates wanted to introduce testimony from FOX Sports’ Jordan Bazant that showed a competitor series would hurt NASCAR. Judge Bell wasn’t sure that needed to be presented to the jury because it’s not additive to the dispute at hand. Judge Bell also says that if there was a competitor series in this hypothetical, the teams would be in it, and not NASCAR. So he ruled against allowing it,” Journalist Matt Weaver wrote on X.

NASCAR wished to rope in the testimony of FOX Sports, the media giant associated with the sport for over two decades. According to NASCAR attorney Lawrence Buterman, chartered teams also get money from FOX – hence, teams are also hurt alongside the sport. However, Judge Kenneth D. Bell still dismissed the witness for the NASCAR trial, claiming that FOX may pay NASCAR less if a rival series springs up. He logged NASCAR’s motion for an appeal to the Fourth Circuit of Appeals in Richmond. Judge Bell has also given an ultimatum for the Motorsports Juggernaut.

This comes as a significant development after CEO Jim France’s stolid appearance in the witness stand. The topmost NASCAR executive was like a “brick wall,” according to a few journalists. He refused to divulge much information as attorney Jeffrey Kessler grilled him. Contrary to the jaw-dropping evidence that Michael Jordan & Co.’s witnesses brought out, France’s testimony likely did not strike a deeper chord.

This setback in court adds more pressure on NASCAR’s management regarding the very reason the lawsuit was filed, permanent charters.

Why does NASCAR CEO Jim France refuse to sign permanent charters?

Now, NASCAR is in complete jeopardy with the Antitrust lawsuit issued by Michael Jordan & co. During the trial, a question that Jordan’s attorneys raised was why the committee refuses to sign permanent charters. CEO Jim France gave the reason on the 8th day of trial. Jim France testified that he is not sure how all parties can come to a mutual agreement that could cover a lifetime.

“I’ve just seen so much change over the years, and things are changing at a fast pace, and I don’t know how to put something in place. I don’t know how we could come to an agreement that covers forever,” he testified.

Adding to it, France also said that he is not comfortable making a promise that he cannot keep forever, as he does not have a ‘sightline of the future.’ He also revealed that his father, the founder of NASCAR, Bill France Sr., always advised him to only do what he says he is going to do, and nothing more. France assures that he has been living by that principle to date.

Steve Phelps, the NASCAR commissioner, also backed the CEO, testifying, “Jim is a man of his word.” Do you think NASCAR should sign permanent charters? Share your thoughts in the comments below.