Denny Hamlin Brands NASCAR Charter Deal as a “Death Certificate for the Future”

Joe Gibbs Racing veteran Denny Hamlin was emotion on the stands during charter lawsuit trail and exposed the controversial deal.

Denny Hamlin Brands NASCAR Charter Deal as a “Death Certificate for the Future”

Denny Hamlin (Via newsminimalist.com)

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The whole NASCAR community is focussed on what is happening in the North Carolina Federal Court. 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports sued the sport owners accusing monopoly, after refusing to sign the new seven-year charter deal. The trail started on December 1, with jury selection, Denny Hamlin’s testimony and cross examination.

Denny Hamlin, the 23XI Racing co-owner sat on the stand for over 4 hours responding to the questions from his own lawyer, Jeffrey L. Kessler and NASCAR’s Lawrence Buterman. As it has been on day one, the Joe Gibbs Racing veteran was very emotional on the stands and didn’t hesitate to speak his mind during back and forth with the defense attorney.

One of the questions that was asked to him during the session was why he and Michael Jordan refused to sign the deal, despite NASCAR supposedly offering them multiple concessions. He responded that he perceived the deal as his death certificate for the future due to the clauses and revenue sharing model, considering he invested 25 years of his life to the sport.

I didn’t sign because I knew this was my death certificate for the future. I have spent 20 years trying to make this sport grow as a driver and for the last five years as a team owner.

Denny Hamlin said on the court as reported by NBC Sports.

He insisted that his team 23XI Racing was doing everything right with helping the sport grow and negotiate for the right deal, whole NASCAR refused to follow suit, giving ultimatum of an unfair deal. The three times Daytona 500 winner knew it was wrong and decided to sue the sport owner to held them accountable for the unfairness.

23XI is doing our part. You can’t have someone treat you this unfairly and I knew it wasn’t right. They were wrong and someone needed to be held accountable.

Denny Hamlin added.

Denny Hamlin branded NASCAR as a monopoly multiple time in cross-examination

One of the favorite sentences of Denny Hamlin during the trial was NASCAR was monopoly. He didn’t hesitate to share this with the jury present. One of the moves Lawrence Buterman made to defend NASCAR is by exposing the supposed hypocrisy of the teams with driver deals.

Denny Hamlin
Denny Hamlin (Via @JoeGibbsRacing/X)

Reportedly Riley Herbst contract has a close that prevent him from racing in non-NASCAR events, which is put-in by 23XI. Buterman asserted that this exclusivity deal is similar to the clauses the teams are fighting in the ani-trust lawsuit. Hamlin slammed the narrative highlighting how drivers have the freedom to chose what to do with their careers unlike teams.

 We aren’t a monopoly. You are. I believe it’s different when you have options and drivers have options of what teams they can race for.

Denny Hamlin said in the court.

Buterman again grilled Denny Hamlin on the stands regarding the revenue sharing between teams and drivers. He highlighted that the percentage shared is less that what NASCAR gives to the teams. Hamlin responded to highlighting additional cost teams incur, which the lawyer countered highlighting NASCAR’s extra cost. The veteran racer responded again with the freedom claims.

We are not a monopoly like you… drivers have options of where to take their services.

Denny Hamlin asserted.

The whole testimony was back and forth like this, with Denny Hamlin becoming more passionate as well emotional every-time being the highlight. There is more drama to come in the upcoming days when more NASCAR and team witnesses takes the stand.

Also Read: Kenny Wallace Exposes Real Reason Behind ‘Denny Hamlin’s Bravery’ After NASCAR Propaganda Rant