After nearly a year of legal back-and-forth, NASCAR’s high-profile lawsuit with 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports appears to be nearing its conclusion. What began as a battle over alleged monopolistic practices has evolved into a deeper conversation about the sport’s future, and recent revelations show how internal misunderstandings may have fueled the tension.

The case, filed last October by Michael Jordan and Co., accused NASCAR of monopolizing the sport and demanded access to critical files through the legal discovery process. But as the process unfolded, it also exposed a heated exchange of emails and texts between both parties, shedding light on the internal rift over the charter system. Commissioner Steve Phelps even voiced his concern about the proposed changes, emphasizing that the agreement “must reflect a middle position or we are dead in the water.”

Meanwhile, NASCAR President Steve O’Donnell’s unfiltered messages offered a clearer, though controversial, glimpse into his stance. His blunt remarks, including one that described an attitude of “F— the teams, dictatorship, motorsport, redneck, southern, tiny sport,” sparked quite the stir. But O’Donnell has now come forward to set the record straight.

“I’m a passionate guy. I wear my emotions on my sleeve, probably too much, right? The way it was presented in court was that I said, ‘F the teams.’ Um, I didn’t say that…the context was if we did this deal the way it was, I felt like it would be an F to the teams. I was defending the teams to my boss, which was which was Jim France. So, that was a little disappointing that it came out initially without the context,” Steve O’Donnell said, clearing all the misunderstandings. 

Additionally, back in the day, the text messages discovered from Michael Jordan and Co. were equally striking. “Teams are going to regret not joining us,” Jordan wrote in a message to Curtis Polk, his business manager and 23XI Racing co-owner.

“My despise for the France family runs deep… (but) please let’s not sabotage our own business,” had said Denny Hamlin. However, despite these aggressive tones, both 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports ultimately lost their charters and are currently operating as open teams.

But O’Donnell stressed the shift in focus. “I feel like all that’s out there, I knew it was out there. There are no surprises. The other side kind of emptied their bucket of here’s all our text messages. It sucks getting deposed…I stand by the fact that, you know, I was trying to put a deal together that worked for everybody. We made some changes since I said that before we got to the end deal. I feel like we got to a place that other teams, you know, got their arms around.”

While there will be a judicial settlement conference set for 9:30 a.m. on Oct. 21 before District Judge Kenneth D. Bell, Michael Jordan remains busy with his broader business ventures; a reminder that, for both sides, the stakes extend far beyond the courtroom.

MJ dropping some snazzy kicks

No matter how the lawsuit unfolds, one thing’s clear: Michael Jordan’s fame is unparalleled. The NBA legend is so much more than a Cup Series team owner. Jordan’s time under the Chicago Bulls is hailed as extraordinary and is remembered with pride by fans who wear Air Jordans, the iconic sneaker line. Notably, the champion debuted the Air Jordan 11 model when he returned from playing Minor League Baseball. And since then, that has been the most popular model in the entire sneaker line.

So, fans were indubitably thrilled to see Michael Jordan debuting the upcoming Air Jordan 11 “285” colorway. He wore the smooth kicks while attending the Bank of America Roval 400 at Charlotte Motor Speedway Road Course.

The “285” colorway pays homage to Atlanta with a new design that nods to Interstate 285, which encircles the city and embodies its vibrant culture. The kicks will officially be released for $250 in adult sizes on Saturday, November 22. However, they will be sold exclusively in-store at select regional retail partner locations in North America.

And, about the upcoming hearing, MJ’s lawyer has only made a statement on the team’s behalf that the teams “welcome Judge Bell’s decision to bring all parties together to engage in a meaningful resolution. We remain open to a settlement that genuinely benefits the sport and its fans,” Kessler said.

“The goals my clients have raised are clear, and the teams have affirmed them in their own declarations. From the outset, our objective has been unwavering: to secure lasting stability and growth for every team, their employees, and the sport. It’s time for all parties to step up and deliver.”

In all, NASCAR and the two teams appear ready to have their final say in court. Based on comments from Steve O’Donnell and Kessler, both sides seem focused on resolving the dispute while keeping the charter system intact. After all, the charter system is central to the sport.