NASCAR News: Defiant Hamlin comments on antitrust lawsuit
On Saturday, Denny Hamlin (pictured), co-team owner of the 23XI Racing team, spoke to the media for the first time since 23XI Racing lost their charters, indicating that he’s ready to fight to the end against the NASCAR monoply.
On Thursday, the courts denied 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports’ request for a temporary restraining order that would have prevented NASCAR from taking their charters back. As a result, all six cars belonging to 23XI and FRM are racing as ‘open’ entries at Dover Motor Speedway this weekend.
DENNY HAMLIN (Driver of the No. 11 Progressive Toyota Camry XSE, Joe Gibbs Racing) was defiant in a Saturday press conference with short and terse responses, making it clear that there are no plans to back down until the NASCAR and the France family monoply is broken up.
What are your thoughts on running an open team and are you worried about Tyler Reddick’s contract and being lured away to another team?
HAMLIN: “I don’t have any direct comment to that. All I can tell you, and this will be my blanket answer for all questions about this is, if you want answers, you want to understand all of why this is happening, come December 1st. You will get the answers that you are looking for and all will be exposed.”
Has anything changed that has made you second guess your decision to file the lawsuit?
HAMLIN: “Not a chance.”
Have you talked about running open cars and what it would mean if 41 cars show up?
HAMLIN: “December 1st is all that matters. Mark your calendar.”
Was there a meeting at 23XI or any message to the team?
HAMLIN: “No.” Toyota Gazoo Racing PR