The continued lawsuit between Michael Jordan’s 23XI Racing Crew and has uncovered some fairly uncomfortable truths concerning the NASCAR enterprise mannequin. Whereas former racing champion Dale Earnhardt Jr. doesn’t have a canine within the battle per se, he does imagine that the 2 sides should be cautious about the place they take the battle.
On Tuesday’s episode of his Dale Jr. Obtain podcast, Earnhardt expressed concern that 23XI Racing and Entrance Row Motorsports could also be in search of to pressure NASCAR to promote its racetracks. He identified that it might be a really dangerous concept.
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“There’s been a degree made about NASCAR proudly owning the racetracks. I don’t know that 23XI desires NASCAR to promote their tracks. I’m hoping that’s not likely what they’re asking,” Earnhardt stated. “I feel they’re utilizing that towards NASCAR as a result of NASCAR did inform another individuals like Marcus Smith and so forth, ‘You’re gonna must signal an exclusivity deal as a result of we don’t need anybody else operating a race earlier than we come into city.’
“That’s common in every other sports activities and arenas and so forth. However I feel there’s been one thing made about NASCAR proudly owning the racetracks and the best way they’ve restricted use of these amenities helps the argument of 23XI.”
A Warning
Earnhardt suggested that 23XI Racing and Entrance Row Motorsports “watch out what you would like for,” within the occasion they’re trying to compel NASCAR to promote its racetracks. He identified that there aren’t any main efforts to construct racetracks today and that if NASCAR would not personal the tracks, they’re going to be taken out of their fingers and probably torn down for extra profitable initiatives.
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“It’s form of obtained to be a watch out what you would like for form of factor as a result of No. 1, nobody’s constructing racetracks. Constructing a racetrack at this time shouldn’t be a monetary success. Working a racetrack at this time shouldn’t be a profitable operation,” Earnhardt stated. “Nobody is clamoring to go on the market and construct any sort of racetrack, large or small. … Nobody’s within the enterprise of proudly owning racetracks. No person’s gonna be standing on the steps ready for these tracks to go to the very best bidder.
HOMESTEAD, FLORIDA – OCTOBER 27: Michael Jordan, NBA Corridor of Famer and co-owner of 23XI Racing walks the grid previous to the NASCAR Cup Sequence Straight Speak Wi-fi 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway on October 27, 2024 in Homestead, Florida. (Picture by James Gilbert/Getty Photographs)James Gilbert/Getty Photographs
“If NASCAR and Marcus don’t personal these racetracks, who does? They’re gonna flip into growth, they’re gonna be became Amazon facilities — they gained’t be racetracks. What is going to occur is in 10 years, we’ll be racing on a bunch of road programs and highway programs, no sh*t. So, everyone form of watch out round that as a result of as distinctive as it’s, we want NASCAR to personal the tracks they personal as a result of it’s actually a misplaced or dying form of enterprise mannequin.”
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It is a legitimate concern – however provided that 23XI and FRM are actually eager on getting NASCAR to promote its tracks outright and never simply use the concept as leverage in reaching an acceptable settlement.
This story was initially printed by on Dec 10, 2025, the place it first appeared within the part. Add The Spun as a
