Dale Earnhardt Jr. spoke openly about NASCAR’s recent antitrust lawsuit and its fallout during a recent episode of the Dale Jr. Download podcast. The lawsuit involved NASCAR and two Cup Series teams, 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports. The case ended with a settlement in December 2025, avoiding a complete court verdict.
Earnhardt said the lawsuit exposed internal issues within the sport but also led to compromises that allowed all sides to move forward. He described the process as going further than necessary, while also noting that the outcome helped restore working relationships. His comments focused on the legal battle, the settlement terms, and leadership changes that followed shortly after.
Lawsuit Details and Settlement Outcome
The lawsuit accused NASCAR and the France family of monopolistic practices tied to charter agreements. The teams challenged limits on ownership structures, revenue sharing, and restrictions on competing in other racing series. The case reached federal court and was set for trial in December 2025.
Before the settlement, Earnhardt said he spoke with NASCAR Chairman Jim France about the situation. “He said everybody was going to have to compromise a little bit, but that it would be all right. That’s kind of what ended up happening.”
The final agreement granted the teams permanent charters and eased restrictions on outside competition. NASCAR also agreed to changes in revenue distribution. In return, the teams dropped demands tied to media rights revenue. The settlement ended the legal dispute without a jury ruling.
Dale Earnhardt Jr. on Court Revelations and Fallout
Earnhardt said the lawsuit revealed information that many inside the sport did not want to see become public. “It went way farther than it needed to. A lot of things came to light that were unfortunate for NASCAR. A lot of dirt came out that none of us really wanted to see,” he said.
Court filings and testimony included private messages between NASCAR executives. One message from former Commissioner Steve Phelps referred to team owner Richard Childress using offensive language. The message became widely criticized after it surfaced during the case.
Earnhardt addressed the comment directly. “No matter what you think of Richard, he’s a pioneer and an icon. He’s family to me. Steve would agree it was a dumb thing to say,” Earnhardt said. He added that Phelps accepted responsibility for the remark and expressed regret.
Leadership Changes and Moving Forward
Phelps stepped down as NASCAR Commissioner on January 6, 2026, weeks after the settlement. He had held the position since 2018. Earnhardt said he spoke with Phelps after the decision. “I talked to Phelps about that. He told me he hopes this is a way for the sport to move forward if that’s what needs to happen.”
Following Phelps’s exit, NASCAR Executive Vice President Ben Kennedy took on expanded responsibilities. Kennedy is Jim France’s nephew and has played a key role in competition and schedule planning.
Earnhardt also pointed to the public image impact from the lawsuit. “They walked out of that courtroom together, faced the media, and from what we can tell, put it behind them. And I like that it’s been quiet,” he said.
As NASCAR prepares for the 2026 season, teams and officials now focus on implementing the new charter terms. The settlement closed a contentious chapter and shifted attention back to competition and operations, with all parties publicly presenting a unified front.