Denny Hamlin put in place by reporter over 23XI, | Sports News

Denny Hamlin was caught out after accusing a veteran NASCAR reporter of needing a “fact checker in the room” as the 23XI Racing lawsuit rages on. 

On Wednesday, 23XI and Front Row Motorsports’ legal fight escalated after NASCAR decided to counter-sue the two Cup teams earlier this week. Back in October, the two teams originally filed their lawsuit against NASCAR regarding antitrust practices and charter agreements. 

In the wake of the move from NASCAR to step up the legal battle with 23XI Racing, Hamlin reacted angrily after reporter Claire B. Lang’s posted statements regarding the lawsuit. She shared statements from NASCAR’s lawyer Chris Yates, including one where he was asked why NASCAR is not suing other teams for the boycott.

Yates claimed that most teams signed the take-it-or-leave-it agreement with NASCAR, but 23XI and Front Row refrained. His statement, posted by Lang, read: “23XI and Front Row did not sign the agreements, and instead chose to sue NASCAR, alleging baseless monopolization claims. That is why NASCAR is suing 23XI, Front Row, and the person who organized the boycotts and conspiracy.”

NASCAR’s countersuit also named Curtis Polk – the business partner of 23XI Racing’s co-owner Michael Jordan – and claimed that he tried to get teams to skip a meeting and a race weekend to strengthen their negotiation stance in the hunt for better deals. NASCAR believes this led to an unfair union between teams. 

However, Hamlin reacted furiously to Lang’s post. He appeared to accuse her – or Yates – of lying, writing: “You should have a fact checker in the room at all times.”

Lang, who has reported on NASCAR for over 25 years, responded to Hamlin’s tweet and outlined how she covers all sides in the interest of fairness. She replied: “I get statements from 23XI and Front Row Motorsports lawyer (posted that yesterday) also re- posted your post about you helping to promote NASCAR yesterday. This is NASCAR lawyer answers to media questions yesterday that I posted today. 

“I try hard to fairly put both sides out. I am sure it is hard knowing the inner workings of it all and must be frustrating to read & wanting to say more. You have always been very forthcoming. Pride myself on presenting all sides.”

23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports have argued that NASCAR’s charter agreements are designed to monopolize the sport, suppressing fair competition which led to their refusal to sign the standard charter agreement. Yates recently claimed that the two teams are not interested in growing the sport, rendering their claims baseless.

DON’T MISS

Ahead of the Shriners Children’s 500 this weekend, Hamlin took to X to fire a cheeky post. He announced his presence for the NASCAR Experience stage at Phoenix Raceway by writing: “Come see me actively promoting and growing our sport this Saturday.”