Roger Penske issues statement after NASCAR lawsuit | Sports News

The most consequential legal week in fashionable NASCAR historical past resulted in a settlement earlier than two of its most influential homeowners ever reached the witness stand.

Roger Penske, who had long been positioned as a key protection witness, by no means needed to testify after Michael Jordan, Denny Hamlin, and the opposite plaintiffs struck an settlement with NASCAR on up to date constitution phrases. The nine-day trial, which threatened to tear open years of proprietor frustration, ended abruptly with a deal that paves the best way for a type of evergreen charters and a reset in how the business aspect of the NASCAR Cup Series operates.

The settlement prevented what many believed can be a seismic second in courtroom. Penske had been ordered to supply a full, in-person deposition and was anticipated to testify alongside Rick Hendrick, who has wasted no time sharing his ideas on the settlement. 

Scheduling delays and the speedy tempo of negotiations meant the game’s strongest homeowners by no means entered the courtroom. Once the settlement turned official, Penske issued a public statement by Team Penske.

Team Penske wrote: “Today’s settlement is tremendous news for the industry. We are stronger together as a sport, and the agreement today allows all of us to focus on what’s important, the continued growth of NASCAR.”

“The sport has never been more competitive, and today’s resolution provides the entire industry with a platform that strengthens our business and allows us to continue to entertain our millions of passionate fans in a unified way.”

Insiders revealed that each Hendrick and Penske clearly acknowledged they didn’t need to testify and urged the courtroom to limit what groups might ask them about their broader business actions. Their request was blocked as a result of each males had submitted declarations supporting NASCAR’s protection, which instantly allowed opposing attorneys to deal with them as witnesses.

According to a number of sources, each homeowners informed the groups straight that they’d no intention of testifying. NASCAR nonetheless included them on its witness checklist on the personal request of Jim France, a element that worsened tensions over who was really main the legal strategy.

The public response escalated as quickly because the settlement was shared on social media. Fans praised 23XI Racing, Denny Hamlin, Michael Jordan, and Front Row Motorsports for taking a stand when others wouldn’t.

Accusations of cowardice surrounded Penke and Co., with followers questioning why groups signed the earlier constitution solely to remorse it as soon as NASCAR needed to cut price. Some criticized Penske’s absence from the stand, calling it “a group-project scenario in which the most powerful owners benefited from the work of the few willing to challenge the system.”

The Wood Brothers’ temporary statement, “Great news,” marks the tip of a main possession revolt in NASCAR, which is shifting towards a new settlement, horsepower minimums, and a 2026 playoff format.