NASCAR seems to be headed in the right direction with its grand scheme of things for 2025. Next year’s schedule will include an international race and a return to iconic venues like Bowman Gray and Rockingham Speedway. However, the governing body has yet to overcome a major hurdle in signing a charter agreement with the teams.

Time and again, NASCAR hasn’t softened its stance against the demands of the team owners. And going by Curtis Polk’s cryptic jab at NASCAR, it’s fair to say that the two parties haven’t reached terms. Polk serves as the business advisor for Michael Jordan and the 23XI Racing team. Reacting to these antics by his co-owners, Denny Hamlin shed light on the current state of affairs between NASCAR and the teams.

NASCAR yet to offer a decent deal with the new charter agreement

Permanent charters and a better piece of the pie from the revenue share are the demands pitched by teams to NASCAR. Unlike other major sporting leagues and series, NASCAR is owned by the France family. Therefore, establishing a new order where teams have a say in the decision-making process could loosen their grip on the sport.

Last we heard, the governing body had met the team privately to persuade them to join their ranks, ditching the alliance. So what’s the latest on the charter agreement? And the answer to that lies in Polk’s message during the Darlington race. He had a message pinned on the back of his shirt that read, “Please don’t ask me about my Charter. I don’t want to disparage NASCAR and lose it.”

Although it was funny, this act led to more questions about the stalled charter negotiations. And as always, Denny Hamlin had his say on the topic. “I would choose not to speak about it. I think it kind of speaks for itself. I can’t believe he actually wore that. They do not want you speaking negatively; it’s a new ad to the charter agreement; we’ll see how that goes,” Hamlin said on the Actions Detrimental podcast.

The veteran driver remained tight-lipped when asked about NASCAR’s revised offer. However, he added that the governing body has yet to table a decent offer. “It’s never been great. I think personally, from 23XI’s perspective, we would take a decent deal, not even a fair deal. Just a decent one, and from our standpoint, it’s got a ways to go.”

It has to be noted that December 31, 2024, will mark the last day of the current charter agreement. A failure to ink an extension could lead to a state of flux and chaos that neither party would wish for. So, what’s next, and how does this uncertainty affect the sport?

Hamlin believes charters are equally important for NASCAR and the team owners

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Now no one wishes to see the sight of teams boycotting the 2025 Daytona 500 race. Although NASCAR isn’t open to the idea of power-sharing through a franchise model, the sport just won’t be the same without the absence of teams like Hendrick Motorsports, Joe Gibbs Racing, or Team Penske, for that matter. It’s fair to say that neither NASCAR nor the teams benefit from a potential split going into 2025.

Denny Hamlin further emphasized why charters are important for the sport and how NASCAR needs to blend itself into the new world order. “You try not to picture a world without them (charters) because they are hugely viable for the race teams. Charter system is very very valuable for NASCAR itself and not just the race teams.”

“NASCAR has always said that this is our family business, and if you don’t like it, don’t participate. I think the world has changed since that mentality was set forth by Big Bill a long time ago. I certainly respect everything that they’ve built, you must update your thinking or else you would hold the sport back,” Hamlin added.

Both NASCAR and the teams have four months to work out their differences and sign a new charter deal before the start of the new year.