NASCAR president Steve Phelps chose not to address the ongoing controversy surrounding the charter agreement, as reported by journalist Bob Pockrass. Teams have expressed dissatisfaction with the proposed agreement for 2025, which has sparked discontent among team owners. The charter deal for the years 2025 to 2031 was shared with teams earlier, but many opted for a quiet protest against its terms. Team owners are now pushing for a bigger slice of NASCAR’s revenue, citing difficulties in covering their operational costs throughout the season. Pockrass noted that Phelps remained tight-lipped about the matter, stating, “Steve Phelps declined comment here in garage on charter deal.”
Fans on social media reacted predictably, with many expressing that they anticipated this lack of response. Some users even speculated about the potential for legal action, commenting, “Declined comments from both sides = lawsuits are in play.”
One user bluntly stated, “Of course he did. He’s a coward,” while another remarked, “That was predictable.” There were also comments suggesting that NASCAR prefers to avoid any pushback, with references to 23XI, who missed the deadline to sign the charter agreement. “NASCAR doesn’t like it when someone stands up to them,” noted one user.
A user expressed, “Phelps to FRM and 23XI likely thinks, ‘we’re not pleased with what we’re observing.'” Another fan chimed in, “He understands their strategy and can’t refute it.”
In a surprising turn, 23XI Racing, co-owned by Denny Hamlin and Michael Jordan, missed the deadline to finalize the 2025 charter agreement. The team released a statement indicating they lacked the “opportunity to negotiate fairly.”
Hamlin recently shared on his Actions Detrimental podcast that the team would be open to accepting a “fair” agreement. He emphasized that the current deal has “never been favorable.” “It’s never been favorable,” Hamlin reiterated, discussing the situation. “From 23XI’s viewpoint, we would settle for a reasonable deal, not even a fair one, just something decent. Clearly, we have a long way to go.”
Charters play a crucial role for teams competing in NASCAR, as they guarantee a share of the series’ revenue for the teams. This financial support makes it easier for teams to operate their cars throughout the season and attract sponsors. Presently, there are 36 charters available for the 40-car grid, while non-chartered cars can only rely on prize money, limiting their race participation.
Lawsuits Are in Play: Why NASCAR Fans Are Calling Out Steve Phelps Over Charter Negotiation Silence
