Why Did Jude Bar Denny Hamlin and Curtis Polk from Courtroom During Charter Lawsuit Trial?

Judge Bell has decided to rule in favor of NASCAR and bar Denny Hamlin, alongside Curtis Polk from sitting in the trial before their testimony.

Why Did Jude Bar Denny Hamlin and Curtis Polk from Courtroom During Charter Lawsuit Trial?

Curtis Polk and Denny Hamlin (Via uk.sports.yahoo.com and IMAGO)

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The 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports alliances has experienced their first failure ahead of the anti-trust lawsuit trail. It’s small victory for NASCAR, who is determined to prove they are not a monopolistic operation as a failure to do so will result in massive financial re-precautions as well as forced changes to the sport system.

Their small win is concerned with 23XI Racing co-owners Denny Hamlin and Curtis Polk. The duo is barred from sitting on trial before their testimony. Sequestering witnesses is a common practice in trials and NASCAR asked for it a week ago, to make sure the duo will not get the opportunity to craft testimony based on each other’s statement.

According to the reports from Fox Sports’ senior motorsports journalist Bob Pockrass, Judge Bell who is proceeding the case was reluctant to grant NASCAR wish. But he was forced to make the decision to make sure there are no technical issues with the proceedings that would cause a mi-trial, and for things to go back to the drawing board.

Judge said his goal is to have this case go to trial only once – indicating he wasn’t going to risk an appeals court saying he must have a new trial if he ruled to allow Hamlin and Polk hear other witnesses before their testimony.

Bob Pockass reported via X.

But it will not have a massive effect on Denny Hamlin, as he testified on day one of the trial after the jury selection and opening statements. Hence, he is allowed to sit in the court alongside Michael Jordan, who is the corporate representative for the plaintiffs. Curtis Polk on the other hand has to wait for his opportunity.

Legal expert explains how Denny Hamlin and Michael Jordan’s lawsuit will change NASCAR

In the latest episode of The Teardown podcast of the senior NASCAR journalist Jordan Bianchi and Jeff Gluck, they interview legal expert Shannon McMinimee, who explained the lawsuit and Sherman Act for the fans. McMinimee asserted that the team have the burden of proof over monopoly accusations, and the judge will decide the future of the sport once the jury gives a verdict.

Michael Jordan (via Getty), Denny Hamlin (via XPB)
Michael Jordan (via Getty), Denny Hamlin (via XPB)

The expert pointed out that the judge has previously pointed out that the existence of the current charter system seems to be an unfair restraint and if NASCAR fails, the France family might be forced to divest ISC, making NASCAR a separate entity while also giving teams the opportunity to race Next-Gen cars outside the series.  

He sees that even the existence of the current charter system could be viewed as a unfair restraint on trade, and he’s looking at things that could be as broad as making the France family divest ISC and spen that off from NASCAR as a separate entity again; changing the system for purchasing the Next Gen car so that NASCAR is not the sole venue for which those cars can be used, or who controls who seels those parts.

Shannon McMinimee said via The Teardown podcast.

The comments from McMinimee rings warning bells for NASCAR and the whole racing community. Court getting involved and changing the way the sport is being run will affect the growth of the industry. Hence settling the issues outside the court is and has always been the right path for everyone involved.

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