“Here to race”: Denny Hamlin comments on 23XI potentially losing charters to NASCAR

23XI Racing co-owners Michael Jordan and Denny Hamlin received unwelcome news on June 5, as the U.S. Court of Appeals vacated the injunction that had allowed them to compete as chartered teams in 2025. The latest ruling suggests that 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports could lose their charters after the latest ruling in the anti-trust case vs NASCAR.

In December 2024, 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports secured a preliminary injunction allowing them to race as chartered teams in 2025. NASCAR appealed the injunction, and a three-judge panel overturned the decision, putting Hamlin and Jordan at risk of losing their charters. The teams have 14 days to request a rehearing, and if the injunction remains overturned, they could lose their charters.

Despite the setback, Denny Hamlin said they remain confident about the trial scheduled for December. The 44-year-old stressed that the team will fulfill its commitments for the season, even if it means that the 23XI Racing teams will have to compete as Open teams.

"We remain very confident in our case for December 1st. We are confident in it, we feel like facts are on our side. I think if you listen to the judges, even they mention we might be in pretty good shape," Hamlin told Frontstretch in Michigan [0:56 onwards]

"Same as what we said in December [2024], we are committed to running this [as an] Open [team] if we have to, even before they decided on the injuction. So we are going to race and fulfill all our commitments, no matter what. We're here to race, our team's going to be here for the long haul, and we're confident of that."

Denny Hamlin said that competing as open teams would be a major financial blow to the organization, estimating the losses to be over $10 million for a three-car organization. He remains optimistic about the December trial and highlighted that they are fighting for the betterment of all teams.

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Denny Hamlin not frustrated after losing 'tiny battle'

Denny Hamlin is not frustrated with the recent verdict, suggesting they can't win every small battle. He said the team is exploring all options following the Appeals panel's decision, but remains confident about the trial set for December.

During the same interview with Frontstretch, the 23XI Racing co-owner said that he is concerned about winning the war, rather than the battle.

"Certainly, when you have these little, tiny battles, amongst you have the bigger litigation... It's really had to win everything. We were on a path to doing that. What we care about is what happens in December and making sure that our case will be heard," he said. [4:40 onwards]

Denny Hamlin is also on baby watch during this weekend's race at Michigan International Speedway. The #11 Joe Gibbs Racing driver qualified third for the FireKeepers Casino 400, with his teammate Chase Briscoe leading the field to green flag on Sunday, June 8, 2:00 PM ET.