Currently, NASCAR and 23XI Racing along with Front Row Motorsports have locked horns as the two teams filed a lawsuit against the racing organization. The teams have accused NASCAR of its monopolistic practices and have refused to sign the 2025 chatter agreement. Amid this tussle, several NASCAR journalists and media personnel have criticized the Denny Hamlin and Michael Jordan-owned 23XI Racing’s lawsuit and demands.

Well, who doesn’t love a good debate? But sadly, there haven’t been any! Some journalists have just blatantly passed criticisms which clearly Hamlin doesn’t appreciate. One such is a sports Analyst for Fox NASCAR & SiriusXM NASCAR, Larry McReynolds. And In a recent X feud, Hamlin has called out McReynolds, asking him to stick to the facts!

Denny Hamlin calls out Larry McReynolds

After the recent Cup Series finale where Joey Logano took the championship, NASCAR’s playoff format has been scrutinized. It’s been called out for not valuing consistency. Like how Kyle Larson finished the season with an average of 8.8 while Logano’s is 17.1. Making it the lowest amongst past champions in NASCAR history. Amid this, Denny Hamlin decided to propose his own playoff format to make things fairer. The veteran suggested, “Double regular season points, seven races to make the Championship 4, and three races to determine the champion.”

To this, McReynolds was quick to comment on what looks like a sarcastic jibe at Denny Hamlin‘s suggested format. McReynolds on X wrote, “So just what we need again! Our champion could go through the entire 10-race playoff, not win a race, might not need to, and at the final race back possibly to where for one driver headed into the race, a clinch scenario! Now this would be nail-biting and exciting!”  

While Hamlin enjoys good banter, he’s not very fond of McReynolds and his comments. Hamlin hit back, replying, “Hey Larry. I know facts are hard to comprehend, but we actually had a Champion crowned in trucks by a driver who didn’t win AT ALL during the season under this format. Sorry, so what were you saying about winning again?”

But Hamlin did not stop here, he took it as an opportunity to settle old scores when he further wrote, “Oh and if you could stop spreading disinformation to your listeners about our lawsuit I would really appreciate it. Thanks.” This was probably in response to what the journalist had said about 23XI Racing and their lawsuit earlier.

While it’s unclear what disinformation Hamlin is referring to, about a month ago, shortly after the case was filed, McReynolds saw fit to comment on 23XI’s stance in the case. Taking shots at the young team, McReynolds had said, “We’ve got an organization that’s been here not even four years that all of a sudden is saying ‘we gotta change the way NASCAR’s run’. I’m all about change. Change is what makes you better. But you know what? When I see Richard Childress, Jake Roush, Rick Hendrick, and Joe Gibbs that’s been here longer than some of these guys have been pooping yellow … and they signed off and said this is good … we’re okay.”

McReynolds based his argument on the sole fact that the racing organization is new to the sport and is trying to change age-old practices. “There’s things we don’t like about it but we’re going to do what’s best for the sport and best for our business. And they signed off on it and these people that have been A. either not competitive or only been here for four and a half years have been saying the way we’ve done business for 76 and a half years is wrong,” McReynolds added.

Denny Hamlin’s frustration is probably because there was hardly any argument in McReynolds comments. Even NASCAR Analyst Eric Estepp had previously spoken along the same lines.

Eric Estepp speaks on McReynolds comments

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Estepp, in one of his previous videos, criticized McReynold’s comments, He said, “He’s entitled to his opinion but again the problem I have is he’s not arguing against the actual content of the lawsuit. He’s not addressing any of the team’s accusations or any of their financial concerns. His argument is simply you’ve been here for 4 years the France family has been here for 76 years. You haven’t paid your dues yet your opinion is less valid because you haven’t paid your dues yet. I fundamentally disagree with that way of thinking sure experience matters but a good argument is a good argument.”

According to Estepp, teams like 23XI and Hendrick, Penske, and JGR cannot be compared. 23XI Racing ran its first season in 2021 whereas the others have been there for decades and are giants in NASCAR. The sport over the years has been brutal, leading to many teams shutting down. But HMS, Penske, and JGR have survived is evidence enough that they have the monetary backing to do so. But this is not the case with mid-size teams like 23XI or FRM.

“I talked about this a few weeks ago but some of those mega team owners McReynolds mentions like Rick Hendrick, like Roger Penske they have massive industries that prop up their racing business. And this system has been good to them 17 of the last 20 NASCAR Cup Series Championships have been won by Penske, Hendrick, or Joe Gibbs…Midsize teams like 23XI front row have a hard time keeping up under this current business model why would Hendrick Penske want to change that,” Estepp added.

Well, as of now, McReynolds hasn’t responded to Hamlin. Let’s see how much this escalates! What do you think of the feud? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below.