The second week of the federal NASCAR antitrust trial between 23XI Racing, Front Row Motorsports, and NASCAR opened Monday, Dec. 8, with long testimony and a courtroom that grew more tense as the day went on. Judge Kenneth D. Bell, frustrated with delays, extended court hours by an extra hour for the rest of the week.
He said the trial needed to move faster after early-morning objections and filings pushed back the start time. Much of the day focused on economic evidence from the plaintiffs, who are working to show that NASCAR’s system limits team earnings and long-term stability. With only two witnesses taking the stand, the slow movement of the proceedings matched the judge’s concerns, as reported by James Krause of Frontstretch.
Economic expert outlines damages in the NASCAR Antitrust Trial
Economist Edward A. Snyder, an antitrust expert, spent nearly the entire afternoon explaining the financial impact he believes NASCAR’s structure has had on 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports.
Snyder told the court that his final calculation put total damages at “$364.7 million”, a number he broke down into lost profits, reduced team value, and revenue losses tied to running as open teams in 2025. This figure was first detailed in Krause’s reporting for Frontstretch.
Snyder also described why he believes NASCAR holds monopoly power. During his testimony, he said NASCAR controls “the tracks, the teams and the cars,” which, in his view, leaves teams without any alternative place to compete.
Snyder compared NASCAR to Formula 1 in his analysis, though NASCAR’s attorneys pushed back, pointing out that no rival series has ever formed in the sport’s modern history. Snyder is set to continue on the stand on Tuesday as cross-examination continues.
Charter negotiations return to focus
Before Snyder’s testimony began, Race Team Alliance executive director Jonathan Marshall completed his time on the stand. Defense attorneys presented messages showing Marshall once called the 2021 charter agreement “a win,” suggesting the negotiations were not as one-sided as the plaintiffs now argue. This exchange was highlighted in Krause’s Frontstretch coverage.
Still, testimony from the previous week continued to shape Monday’s discussion. Reporting from Jeff Gluck and Jordan Bianchi of The Athletic described how Heather Gibbs of Joe Gibbs Racing recalled a tense moment during charter talks, saying team owner Joe Gibbs pleaded with NASCAR chairman Jim France, “don’t do this to us.” Her account captured how pressured teams felt under NASCAR’s final charter offer.
Marshall also discussed NASCAR’s track agreements, saying they made it “impossible” to build a rival stock car series because top racetracks were tied up in exclusive contracts. Gluck and Bianchi noted how his testimony supported the plaintiffs’ argument that NASCAR limits competition by controlling the places where teams can race.
Judge pushes for faster progress
Judge Bell emphasized that the trial must proceed at a faster pace to stay on track. Monday’s session began late as attorneys argued over exhibits that had been submitted in the early morning hours. Bell said filings needed to come earlier and warned both sides not to slow down the process again. Krause noted in Frontstretch that the trial’s sluggish pace has put the original two-week plan at risk.
The plaintiffs still plan to call NASCAR commissioner Steve Phelps, team owner Richard Childress, and NASCAR chairman Jim France. NASCAR’s defense team is preparing 16 witnesses as well. With large financial claims and questions about control of the sport at stake, Monday’s economic testimony set a serious tone for the rest of the week.
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