23XI Racing Driver Opens Up About His Feelings Behind the Scenes Amid Lawsuit Against NASCAR

23XI Racing driver Tyler Reddick has revealed his position with the team after filing an antitrust lawsuit against NASCAR over its alleged unfair monopolistic practices. Despite the ongoing legal battle, Reddick suggested it’s business as usual for him, as he prepares for action at Talladega this weekend.

Controversy erupted when 23XI co-founder Denny Hamlin accused NASCAR and its CEO, Jim France, of allegedly exercising the sport’s authority in an “unfair manner.” 23XI, alongside Front Row Motorsports, has taken legal action by filing an antitrust lawsuit against NASCAR in a North Carolina federal court.

The lawsuit began when both teams refused to approve NASCAR’s final charter proposal presented at Atlanta Motor Speedway last month. After two years of negotiations, a major point of contention remained: NASCAR’s refusal to establish permanent charters, ultimately leading to a legal dispute between the teams and the sport.

NASCAR and Speedway Motorsports have exclusive control over the tracks used in their series, preventing the formation of any competing leagues. Additionally, NASCAR owns the Next Gen car, requiring teams to purchase parts only from NASCAR-approved suppliers at fixed prices.

Reddick revealed that the team has been informed of the situation so far. Speaking to Steven Taranto of CBS Sports, he said:

“I mean, they let us know what’s going on and yeah, basically along the same lines as what you heard from Curtis and the lawyers.

“So, yeah, everything’s good here.”

He added:

“No, I haven’t felt uncomfortable yet. I’ll let you know if that changes.”

In contrast, he revealed that he felt much more uncomfortable when he announced his departure from Richard Childress Racing (RCR) in 2022. He said:

“Well, it was uncomfortable. (leaving CPR)

“In my opinion, so far it hasn’t been uncomfortable.”

Hamlin, who is pushing for “positive” changes in the sport, said after having a conversation with his partner Michael Jordan, told the media during a press conference:

“But you know at the end of the day it’s because you’re threatening, you know, the status quo and you’re threatening people’s jobs and things like that. And I just hope it’s not seen that way, just seeing that, you know it’s it’s definitely an opportunity for us to try to promote change in the sport that’s positive for everyone.

“It’s about the teams, it’s about the drivers, it’s about the fans, it’s about everyone. And so I feel like from our side it’s been good for me because, you know, it’s not like we decided one day we woke up and this is going to happen It’s been planned for a while and certainly from my point of view it actually allows me to focus more on car 11 and you know everything. what I have to do there because it’s over and now there are other people who can talk about it from a legality point of view.