Denny Hamlin responded with a confident remark when asked about the 2026 Daytona winners and their ties to the ongoing NASCAR antitrust litigation. The weekend showcased remarkable performances from teams involved in last year’s high-profile legal battle, highlighting the intense efforts behind the scenes over the past year.
Front Row Motorsports began the weekend strong with Chandler Smith securing a win in the Truck Series race, followed by Austin Hill of Richard Childress Racing capturing victory in the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series season opener on Saturday.
The centerpiece, however, was Tyler Reddick‘s win in the Daytona 500, which gave 23XI Racing its fourth championship ring for Hamlin and added another to co-owner Michael Jordan’s collection. Intriguingly, all three victorious teams were connected to the antitrust trial involving NASCAR. While Front Row Motorsports and 23XI Racing filed the lawsuit, Richard Childress himself testified against the sanctioning body.
After NASCAR leadership’s disparaging text messages targeting Childress became public and major sponsors showed support for him, the pressure contributed significantly to the landmark settlement that reshaped the sport.
Reflecting on the unusual convergence of winners, Hamlin remarked in a post-race interview,
“All we do is win,”
“I don’t know, it’s coincidence, obviously,” Denny Hamlin continued, “but you know, I’m really happy for them too. I mean, they’re the ones I had to answer all the questions and stuff from from last year. And we were working vigorously behind the scenes. You know, it’s late nights reading documents and just on and on and on they had no idea what we were doing. They just were the ones that had to come to the racetrack and ask the questions, was it a distraction? But they handled themselves like true professionals and it’s great that you know, they’re rewarded by winning the first race this year.”
Meanwhile, Hamlin’s own race ended disappointingly as he collided with JGR teammate Christopher Bell in the closing laps, placing him outside the top-30.
Hamlin Reflects on NASCAR Legal Battle and Its Effects on the Sport
Following the final race, Hamlin shared his perspective on how the lawsuit shaped NASCAR’s landscape. The settlement achieved several key reforms, including permanent charters for teams, enhanced profit-sharing mechanisms, and a stronger voice for owners in governing decisions.
Shortly after the trial concluded, NASCAR released plans to reinstate the Chase playoff format, a move that was welcomed by many fans and participants. Addressing the broader implications, Hamlin noted,
“I think that December was a wake-up call. I think the conversations since then have been a lot of self-reflection, in my opinion, from NASCAR about, I think, how they would have done things differently had they had the opportunity, but we knew that we needed to stick up for what we believed was right.”
Further changes were announced, including the discontinuation of the Charlotte Roval in favor of returning to the traditional track layout for the fall race. Combined with increased horsepower tailored for short tracks, these adjustments suggest NASCAR is actively responding to calls for improvement following the trial and the season’s outset.
Impact of the Lawsuit on NASCAR’s Future Prospects
The successes of teams involved in the lawsuit symbolize not only on-track prowess but also the broader struggle to redefine NASCAR’s governance. The legal challenge exposed fault lines within the organization, compelling introspection and prompting tangible reforms designed to strengthen team ownership and competition fairness.
Hamlin’s candid comments highlight the exhaustion and intense dedication required behind the scenes, hinting that these battles may continue to influence relationships and dynamics within the sport in the coming seasons. With the promise of a more collaborative environment and reconfigured race formats, fans and stakeholders alike will be watching closely to see how NASCAR evolves from this pivotal moment.
Denny Hamlin when asked about all three of the primary lawsuit teams winning Daytona: "All we do is win." 🤷♂️
He then gives a serious answer noting it's a coincidence and that he's happy for the 23XI team members who had to deal with the distractions and are now rewarded https://t.co/t7y9s34c8V pic.twitter.com/r1c4AbdIGT
— Steven Taranto (@STaranto92) February 16, 2026
