NASCAR text has become a major focus in the antitrust case involving 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports after newly unsealed court filings revealed private 2023 messages between two top NASCAR leaders. The texts show Steve Phelps and Steve O’Donnell speaking sharply about the Superstar Racing Experience, known as SRX, and reacting to Denny Hamlin’s plan to race in the series during the off-season.
These messages, now public as exhibits in federal court, are being used by the teams to support claims that NASCAR pushed back against competition. As the lawsuit continues, the documents are offering a rare look into how the sport’s leadership viewed a growing rival.
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). pic.twitter.com/EE6WURbibY
— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) November 22, 2025
What the Unsealed Messages Show
On July 20, 2023, Phelps reacted after learning that Hamlin, driver of the No. 11 Toyota for Joe Gibbs Racing, agreed to race in an SRX event. According to the filings, he sent a message to O’Donnell that said, “This is the trash series that needs a knife taken to it.”
O’Donnell replied that the legal team was already working on the situation. “Already on it with legal,” he wrote. He also noted that NASCAR could enforce contract rules that prevent active Cup drivers from racing in non-NASCAR stock-car events without written approval.
Phelps then added that Hamlin’s appearance in SRX helped the new series earn support he felt it did not deserve. “Denny doing this gives them credibility they don’t deserve,” he wrote.
NASCAR Text Evidence in the Antitrust Case
The lawsuit filed by 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports claims NASCAR used its power to keep rival groups from growing. Court documents say NASCAR blocked SRX from getting dates at major tracks and pressured partners not to work with the series.
SRX began in 2021 with a mix of retired stars and active drivers from different types of racing. The series aired on CBS for its first two seasons but ultimately postponed its 2024 season indefinitely, effectively ending the series, due to a combination of factors including declining television ratings after a move to ESPN, unsustainable costs, and a soft sponsorship market.”
Hamlin commented on the messages during his Actions Detrimental podcast, calling them clear proof of what he and others have argued. “Those texts show exactly what we’ve been saying in court,” Hamlin said. “They weren’t trying to protect safety or the schedule; they were trying to kill competition.”
What Comes Next in the Court Process
The lawsuit, filed in October 2024 in the Western District of North Carolina, is scheduled to go to trial on December 1, 2025.
The release of these private exchanges comes as NASCAR continues to face concerns about attendance and TV ratings. With more team owners and drivers calling for changes to how the sport operates, the court filings add new pressure on the leadership while the case moves forward.
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