In today’s NASCAR, teams need charters to compete—essentially a golden ticket guaranteeing entry into races and a share of the sport’s revenue. But while most teams have signed the dotted line, 23XI Racing, co-owned by Michael Jordan and Denny Hamlin, has taken a bold stand and missed the deadline to agree to the new charter terms. This wasn’t a case of oversight or mismanagement; it was a deliberate decision made by two of the sport’s most prominent figures.

The reason behind 23XI Racing’s opposition to the new charter agreement remains shrouded in mystery, as neither the team nor NASCAR has offered a clear explanation. Since its introduction in 2016, the charter system has been designed to give teams guaranteed entry into races and a slice of the revenue pie. So, why is 23XI resisting?

Rumor has it that Jordan and Hamlin feel the negotiation process was rushed and lacked the transparency and input needed from all teams. They’ve hinted that the new terms may favor certain teams more than others, creating an imbalance that doesn’t sit well with them. By holding out, 23XI Racing is making a statement—they want a fair shot for every team, not just a select few.

But the clock is ticking. By refusing to sign the new charter agreement, 23XI Racing is gambling with its future. As it stands, they face the uncertain prospect of whether they’ll be able to compete next year at all. With a team that’s grown rapidly in stature, Jordan and Hamlin are taking a big risk

Recently, Bob Pockrass revealed that Steve Phelps has declined to comment on the charter deal. This has sent fans into a frenzy, as many of them have been following the discussions closely, and according to them, NASCAR is at fault. This is getting clearer in the comments section of Bob Pockrass’s post, where fans are calling out Phelps for not making a statement on the situation.

Let’s dive into what fans have to say about the 23XI Racing charter situation.

Fans are clearly unhappy with Steve Phelps not making a comment

One unhappy fan stated, “NASCAR doesn’t like it when someone stands up to them.” The fan is calling out NASCAR’s tendency to want things their way, no questions asked. When a team like 23XI Racing, with big names like Michael Jordan and Denny Hamlin behind it, pushes back, it’s like poking the bear. NASCAR is used to running the show, and this fan thinks they don’t take too kindly to teams that challenge their authority. It’s a rare move in a sport where most teams just go with the flow, and NASCAR probably isn’t thrilled about it.

“Because he knows he’s a thug strong arming the teams,” said an agitated fan. The comment they put up is pretty blunt, accusing Steve Phelps of playing the bully. The fan is basically saying Phelps is using his power to push teams into signing the charter without giving them a fair shot at negotiating. It’s like the fan believes NASCAR’s more about muscle than fairness, and Phelps staying quiet is just his way of avoiding getting called out for it. They’re not holding back, basically calling out what they see as strong-arm tactics to keep the teams in line.

Another fan put up a comment saying “common Steve L.” The whole “L” thing is internet slang for a ‘loss’, and this fan is handing one to Steve Phelps. They’re disappointed that he’s not stepping up to the plate and making a statement. Fans expect leaders to be transparent, especially when things get messy, and Phelps staying mum is just not cutting it for them.

“Of course he would LOL,” added another fan. This fan is hardly surprised by Phelps keeping quiet—it’s exactly what they expected. The “LOL” is dripping with sarcasm, like they’re almost laughing at how predictable it is. To them, it’s typical NASCAR: dodge the tough questions and keep things under wraps. This kind of response just adds to the frustration because it feels like the leadership is dodging accountability rather than facing issues head-on.

“Can we talk about the stage cautions?! It’s embarrassing for our sport!” This comment jumps to another gripe that’s been bugging fans—those stage cautions. They see it as just one more example of NASCAR making decisions that hurt the sport’s integrity. The word “embarrassing” really shows how disappointed they are in how things are being run, and Phelps not addressing the charter issue just feels like more of the same old problems to them.

With that said, where do you stand on 23XI Racing going against the charter system, which most other teams have accepted? Do you think their move is justified? Share your thoughts in the comments below.