Denny Hamlin Declares NASCAR Poaching $861 Billion Worth Sponsor Opened the Door to Racing for 23XI Racing

Joe Gibbs Racing veteran Denny Hamlin has shared his thoughts on how NASCAR paved 23XI Racing’s way into the Cup Series.

Denny Hamlin Declares NASCAR Poaching $861 Billion Worth Sponsor Opened the Door to Racing for 23XI Racing

Denny Hamlin (Via IMAGO)

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The NASCAR community is in their toes over the charter lawsuit trial that started on Monday and the outcome of the legal drama has the potential to change the sport forever. First day featured the jury selection, opening statements from both sides and the testimony of 23XI Racing cop-owner Denny Hamlin.

On his testimony, the veteran Joe Gibbs Racing driver was asked about the how he and NBA legenda Michael Jordan bought their way into the sport. Denny Hamlin revealed that they bought the charter of Germain Racing team in 2021, for $4.7 million. They got the opportunity after the team went out of business, once they lost their primary sponsor GEICO, that has a market cap of $861.40 billion, to NASCAR.

Jeanifer Parsigian: What allowed 23XI to purchase the Germain Racing team charter in 2021?

Denny Hamlin: They lost their sponsorship (GEICO) to NASCAR and went out of business.

Court conversation reported by motorsport.com.

This factor is something that 23XI Racing and Denny Hamlin keeps in mind during their daily operations regarding sponsorship deals. The veteran considers himself the professional fundraiser of 23XI Racing, with competition and sponsorship coming under his management, as the co-owner of the team.

He revealed the fight he has to go through against NASCAR as well as new teams in the sport. When new sponsor comes into the sport, just like the team the sanctioning body will also come for a piece of the pie, alongside other teams and he have to fend them off to secure the bag. He also has to fight other teams to sign new employees and keep the best ones.

First, I have to fend off the series. If a new sponsor want to come in, NASCAR will go after them. I have to fight them. I have to fight other teams for them. I have to fight them for employees.

Denny Hamlin asserted.

Denny Hamlin broke down in court during testimony

In the testimony, the Joe Gibbs Racing driver was asked about his journey in NASCAR so far and what made him become a racer. Recalling his junior racing years brought tears into the veterans’ eyes, as he recalled the contribution made from the likes of his parents as well as close associates in the past.

Denny Hamlin
Denny Hamlin (Via newsminimalist.com)

There are multiple reasons why the veteran got emotional while answering these set to questions. The 2025 NASCAR Cup season was pretty hard on him emotionally, with his dad getting hospitalized, becoming a dad for the third time, securing milestone 60th win and losing the championship battle yet again after a mistake in the finale.

These comments from Denny Hamlin and the emotions he showed might help the teams in the case, as this might help them to sway the jury by emotionally connecting with them. But at the end of the day, it’s too early to predict any outcomes.

Also Read: Alex Bowman Breaks Silence on His ‘Battle with Anxiety’ After Tough 2025 Season