Internal texts reveal NASCAR's concerns about Denny Hamlin racing in the SRX Series 

NASCAR chiefs Steve O'Donnell and Steve Phelps's personal text exchanges have revealed concerning comments about Denny Hamlin's participation in the SRX Series. The remarks were found as part of the redacted exhibits from the summary motion hearings.

The Superstar Racing Experience had a three-year stint, going from 2021 to 2023. The series featured a mix of veteran and rising talents competing in similar machinery. The cars themselves were designed by Ray Everham, one of the co-founders of the series.

The series was suspended due to waning popularity and a drop in ratings after going to ESPN in 2023. Drivers like Tony Stewart, Kyle Busch, and Chase Elliott competed in the series, mostly run on half-mile dirt and asphalt tracks.

Denny Hamlin competed in a single one-off race and won the event as well. However, the same has seemingly irked NASCAR chiefs. Fox analyst Bob Pockrass reported on the matter, writing,

"Some interesting texts revealed tonight … the text reaction of Phelps and O’Donnell when they found out Denny Hamlin was running SRX … (tonight is the deadline for redacted exhibits to be filed for exhibits used in the summary judgment rulings)."

Excerpts from the finding are as follows:

"This is NASACR. Pure and simple. Enough. We need legal to take a shot at this," Steve O'Donnell wrote. "These guys are just plain stupid," Steve Phelps replied, "Need to put a knife in this trash series."

The comments fall in line with 23XI Racing and FRM's allegations of monopolistic practices by NASCAR. The two teams were recently granted a summary motion defining the sanctioning body as 'premier stock pro racing series'.

Antitrust expert Harry First weighed in on the situation, noting that NASCAR shot itself in the foot when they launched a counter claim, essentially forcing them to define the series as well. The governing body's definition coincided with 23XI's claims, which further proved the teams' case.

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NASCAR request Denny Hamlin and Michael Jordan's absence during pretrial hearing

NASCAR has filed a petition to exclude Denny Hamlin and Michael Jordan's witness testimonies. The move comes in anticipation of the team's owner's apparent influence and bias over the jury.

NASCAR reporter Matt Weaver shared Judge Kenneth Bell's ruling on the same, writing,

"Order from Judge Bell: "At the pretrial hearing, Defendants asked the Court to exclude two of 23XI Racings' three owners from the courtroom pursuant to FRE Rule 615. The Court is continuing to consider that request. Each side is permitted to file a brief on the issue not to exceed five (5) pages in length, on or before 12:00 pm (noon) on Tuesday, November 25, 2025. No response or reply briefs are permitted."

Previously, Denny Hamlin's text messages were also revealed to show his animosity towards the France family.

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Edited by Vignesh Kanna