The 2026 NASCAR season began at Daytona International Speedway amid lingering legal tensions between several top racing teams and the sanctioning body. Front Row Motorsports, Richard Childress Racing, and 23XI Racing—teams linked to an ongoing antitrust lawsuit against NASCAR—dominated the early Speedweeks races, raising eyebrows across the sport.
Denny Hamlin, co-owner of 23XI Racing, described the situation as mere coincidence but quietly injected a pointed remark toward NASCAR following his team’s success.
Hamlin’s Nuanced Statement Highlights 23XI Racing’s Success
Against the backdrop of ongoing legal disputes that have brought uncertainty to NASCAR’s governance, Daytona’s Speedweeks unfolded with remarkable wins by teams tied to the lawsuit. Front Row Motorsports set the tone with Chandler Smith winning the Truck Series opener. Richard Childress Racing followed closely as Austin Hill secured victory in the Xfinity Series event.
The marquee event, Sunday’s Daytona 500, saw Tyler Reddick clinch 23XI Racing’s first-ever victory in the iconic race, underscoring the team’s rising prominence. When asked about these results, Hamlin maintained that the timing was coincidental, but quickly added with a grin, “All we do is win.”
This line, delivered with lighthearted confidence, carried an underlying reference to the team’s recent courtroom victories alongside their on-track performance.
“It’s a coincidence, obviously. I’m really happy for them. I mean, they’re the ones that had to answer all the questions and stuff from last year,”
Hamlin said.
“We were working vigorously behind the scenes – late nights, reading documents, and just on and on and on. It’s great that they’re rewarded by winning the first race this year.”
From Legal Battles to Victory Lane: Shifting Focus Back to Racing
The lawsuit targeted NASCAR’s charter system and business operations, casting a cloud over the offseason as these teams sought to redefine competitive acceptance within the sport. Despite the off-track friction, Speedweeks redirected attention to racing achievements.
Joe Gibbs Racing veteran Hamlin avoided exaggerating the symbolism of the sweep but acknowledged the significance of the moment given the history between these teams and NASCAR’s leadership.
Adding to the complex dynamic, NASCAR CEO Jim France and 23XI co-owner Michael Jordan shared a respectful exchange at Victory Lane, signaling a possible thaw amid ongoing tensions.
Early Season Wins Reinforce the Strength of Lawsuit-Linked Teams
For 23XI Racing, Tyler Reddick’s Daytona 500 triumph marked a pivotal chapter in the team’s growth and legitimacy. Meanwhile, the successes of Front Row Motorsports and Richard Childress Racing early in the season reaffirm their resilience and competitiveness despite entanglements off the track.
Together, these victories send a clear message that teams challenging NASCAR’s structure through legal channels continue to perform at the highest level in the sport’s most prestigious events, indicating a complex but competitive landscape as the season unfolds.
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
