NASCAR drivers present and past have remained largely quiet since the NASCAR antitrust trial involving plaintiffs 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports commenced on December 1.
A notable exception to the silence is Ken Schrader (and Mark Martin, but you’ll have to wait until the end to see what he said).
During this year’s final episode of the popular “Herm & Schrader” podcast led by his fellow former Cup Series driver Kenny Wallace, co-host Schrader made no bones about his frustration with 23XI — one of the two Cup Series teams suing NASCAR for many millions of dollars in damages they claim they suffered under the old 2016 charter agreement. More specifically, 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports allege that NASCAR has violated antitrust laws and engaged in monopolistic practices that have crippled teams’ ability to be profitable.
During the ongoing trial being held at the Charlotte, North Carolina outpost of U.S. District Court for the Western District of North Carolina, 23XI Racing co-owner Michael Jordan — yes, the retired NBA legend and internationally known superstar athlete — highlighted four items that teams asked for but didn’t get in NASCAR’s 2025 charter agreement.
Those items — which Jordan mentioned while on the witness stand — were a larger share of NASCAR revenues, governance with regard to voting power over specific cost increases, permanent charters, and a one-third share of any new business NASCAR acquires.
While Front Row Motorsports has been a Cup Series participant since 2005, 23XI Racing has only competed since 2021. The organization, co-owned by Jordan and three-time Daytona 500 winner Denny Hamlin, fielded race cars this past season for drivers Bubba Wallace, Tyler Reddick and Riley Herbst.
So, What Is Ken Schrader’s Beef With 23XI Racing?
OK, now back to Ken Schrader and his comments on the podcast with Kenny Wallace. Schrader, who won four Cup Series races over a career that stretched from 1984-2013, is none too pleased about the lawsuit against NASCAR, which 23XI and Front Row Motorsports filed in October 2024 after refusing to sign the 2025 charter.
“I have a big problem,” Schrader said to Wallace during the December 6 recording of the podcast. “I have a big problem. And I guess it’s with 23XI, that somebody comes into a sport, and I’m going to say ‘our’ sport.
“They come into automobile racing, and they invest millions and millions to put a couple of teams together. And they build this (race shop) and everything. And then they want to change (the sport). No, no. I have a big problem with that.”
Albeit reluctantly in some instances, the owners of the other 13 teams all signed the 2025 charter agreement, which ensures their drivers a starting spot in every race and their teams a greater share of the NASCAR purse money.
“Yes, all the teams would like to have more money,” Schrader said. “All the teams would like for it to cost less to run and operate your team. But (Roger) Penske signed. Rick (Hendrick) signed. The Wood Brothers signed. Coach (Joe) Gibbs signed. Richard Childress signed.”
Michael Jordan, Denny Hamlin and Front Row Motorsports owner Bob Jenkins choosing not to fall in line with the rest of the team owners didn’t amuse Schrader.
“It’s like, ‘Really?’” he said.
Ken Schrader Thinks 23XI Racing, Front Row Should Have Made Concessions
Above all, Ken Schrader seems irked by what he believes was an unwillingness by 23XI and Front Row Motorsports to give and take during the latest round of charter negotiations.
“I talked to a couple of (the team owners), and they didn’t get everything they wanted,” Schrader said.
The former Cup Series driver then shared a paraphrased quote that he attributed to Rick Hendrick, the NASCAR Hall of Famer and 15-time Cup Series champion team owner.
“‘When you’re negotiating, you don’t usually get everything you want,’” Schrader said, attempting to quote Hendrick. “‘But we got rid of some stuff we wanted to get rid of. And we got some more (money). We negotiated, and now we’re full speed ahead.’”
Schrader wishes 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports had ultimately agreed to the terms of the charters and moved forward for what he believes would have been the good of the sport.
“A couple of teams decided it wasn’t going to be that simple,” Schrader said. “That’s just looking at it just black and white. That’s just the facts.”
Schrader concluded his passionate monologue with a tongue-and-cheek take on the two teams that decided to take NASCAR to court.
“So, they want more money?” he asked, rhetorically. “I’d like to have more money, too. But guess what? I don’t know who I can sue. I’ll bet if I could get my wife’s money. If I could sue her…”
And with that, Schrader stopped ranting. But only after making his feelings crystal clear.
Apparently, at least one other former Cup Series driver, the legendary Mark Martin, likewise appears to be no fan of the lawsuit against NASCAR.
This lawsuit is devastating to the sport we love. I really hope we as fans come out of this better off, but I just don’t see a pathway that leads us to that.
I’m worried about our sport. I want it to thrive.— Mark Martin (@markmartin) December 4, 2025
