One might assume that getting sued by one of your teams to potentially take tens of millions of dollars out of your pocket might potentially sour the relationship between you and said team, right? Well, for NASCAR President Steve Phelps, this might be only partially true. While 2024 was one of the most competitive years in NASCAR history on track, the real action was taking place off track in court as Michael Jordan and Denny Hamlin’s 23XI Racing team spearheaded the filing of an anti-trust lawsuit against NASCAR itself.

However, in a recent interview with The Athletic, the NASCAR President, ever the businessman, was able to separate his feelings about the lawsuit from the general health of the sport. When asked about a particular moment that he was proud of looking back on the 2024 season, Phelps surprisingly gave his prosecutors some well-deserved props.

Credit where it’s due: Phelps praises 23XI amid legal tensions

Speaking to The Athletic, Steve Phelps reflected on the 2024 season, highlighting moments that left a lasting impression on him. Naturally, he spoke on the competitiveness of the on-track action referencing the tiny margins between race winners and runner-ups, as well as the growing television ratings and the state of the sport.

“The close finishes, that was really cool. The continued schedule innovation, I think our fans have come to expect that, and you’ll see that again in ’25.” Phelps said. And one of the things I’m most proud of is, if you look at the (TV) ratings, we started off minus-27 (percent) and somehow we finished in the positive numbers from a viewership standpoint. I think that is a testament for the strength of the fan base and where the sport is and the popularity of the sport.” Concerns of falling viewership plagued the NASCAR season, especially during races like Bristol. Fans claimed this was due to the monotonous race where Larson dominated, leaving no room for excitement. However, NASCAR’s $7.7 billion deal kicks in next year and it’s expected to bring in an influx of viewers by giving access to platforms such as Amazon.

Surprisingly, one of Phelps’ standout mentions involved 23XI Racing. “It’s pretty cool that 23XI competed for a championship so soon in their life cycle of being a race team,” Phelps remarked, a testament to the team’s rapid rise in just four years of existence. Having started just a few years ago, 23XI‘s success has surprised many in the NASCAR world. Some attribute it to a combination of different factors working well together, whether it’s Jordan and Hamlin’s ownership, their driver choices, or even the marketability aspect. Each played a role in securing 23XI’s racing legacy so far, and Reddick’s championship sealed the deal with it.

The only tiny blemish on this record is a minor stat that might have cost Reddick his championship. You see, Kyle Larson, with his streak of wins this season, was also a contender for the title. However, because of his choice to race in IndyCar, he missed a key race, which could have given him the championship. After all, he finished only a single point behind Reddick.

Regardless, this comment caught fans and insiders off guard, given the ongoing legal battle between NASCAR and 23XI. Led by Michael Jordan and Denny Hamlin, the team has been at the forefront of a lawsuit challenging NASCAR’s business practices, including its controversial charter system. Despite the friction, Phelps appeared able to separate the courtroom drama from the accomplishments of the team.

Naturally, the lawsuit has put some strain on the relationship between the newcomers and the organizers of the sport as earlier this year, team owner Denny Hamlin was incensed that not a single NASCAR representative was present during the awarding of his driver’s, Tyler Reddick, regular-season championship trophy.

“It was pretty disappointing no one from NASCAR presented [Reddick] with his regular-season trophy,” Hamlin told the Associated Press. The perceived slight further emphasized the tension between the organization and the rising powerhouse.

Phelps, however, focused elsewhere with NASCAR biggest changes for 2025.

The Bowman Gray move, Mexico City expansion, and new TV deals

Phelps also touched on other pivotal developments shaping NASCAR’s future. The 2025 season will see NASCAR breaking new ground by hosting events at historic Bowman Gray Stadium and internationally in Mexico City. “Bowman Gray and Mexico City are two really cool things,” Phelps said, explaining how the venues nod to both the sport’s past and its future.

Bowman Gray, affectionately called “The Madhouse,” brings the Clash back to its short-track roots. While the move thrilled traditionalists, some fans criticized its limited seating capacity of 19,000 compared to previous venues. Meanwhile, the Mexico City race builds on the success of the Chicago Street Race, aiming to attract new audiences and solidify NASCAR’s presence beyond the U.S.

Another major change comes with new media partnerships. Beginning in 2025, NASCAR will join forces with Amazon, Warner Bros., and The CW, alongside existing partners Fox and NBC. “The amount of promotion… is unlike anything that we’ve seen,” Phelps noted, emphasizing the potential for expanded viewership and fan engagement.

While legal battles and controversies linger, these initiatives signal NASCAR’s determination to innovate and evolve. For Phelps, navigating this balancing act is crucial as the sport looks to its future, even when the road gets bumpy.