That’s what happens when you’re this dominant.
Tyler Reddick won his third straight NASCAR Cup Series race yesterday when he took the checkered flag at the Circuit of the Americas road course in Austin, Texas, after winning the season-opening Daytona 500 and last weekend’s race at EchoPark Speedway in Atlanta.
It’s been a dominant run for 23XI Racing, the team owned by NBA legend Michael Jordan and Cup Series legend Denny Hamlin. Not only has Reddick already built up a 70 point lead after only three races, but his teammate Bubba Wallace is currently sitting second in the points with two top 10 finishes to open the season.
It’s also quite the turnaround for 23XI from 2025, when the team’s three drivers combined for only one win the entire season (although it was a big one, with Bubba Wallace taking home the trophy in the Brickyard 400).
But there’s another big difference from 2025 for the team too: They’re not actively suing NASCAR this year like they were last year.
Ahead of last season, 23XI and Front Row Motorsports filed an antitrust lawsuit against NASCAR over issues they had with the new charter agreement. I’m not going to break down the whole lawsuit, but needless to say things were obviously awkward for the team last year as they competed while also challenging NASCAR in court.
But this past December, NASCAR agreed to settle the lawsuit after an embarrassing 8-day trial, and in that settlement 23XI Racing not only (reportedly) got a large payout but also got the permanent charters the teams had long been asking for and an increased voice in the governance of the sport.
After their success to open this season though, fans are convinced that 23XI might have gotten something else in the settlement.
As expected when any competitor goes on a dominant run, the conspiracy theories are flying and some NASCAR fans (and 23XI haters) are convinced that…NASCAR is allowing 23XI to cheat as part of the settlement in the lawsuit.
Yes, really.
Jordan sues Nascar and his drivers are 1st and 2nd in points coincidence i think not
— ChaseEdwardTownsend (@ChaseTownsend92) March 2, 2026
They rigged the race for 23XI easy No
— Cole the American Patriot 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇷🇺 (@Americasamazin) March 2, 2026
There needs to be an independent investigation into this.
Going from zero wins all last year, to a lawsuit settlement, to suddenly winning the first three races of the season. If you’re not questioning this even a little, you’re choosing to be blind.— Jay (@Jay603Jay) March 2, 2026
NASCAR is allowing 23xi to cheat. It is blatantly obvious.
— Craig Jones (@CraigJones62051) March 2, 2026
I’m putting 100 donuts down saying NASCAR is rigging it for him. Probably got his car super upped passed what legalese allowed. He’s good PR for NASCAR, might bring him new fans
— Donkey (@Donkey96802737) March 2, 2026
Now, let’s go ahead and put this to bed right now: No, NASCAR is not letting 23XI cheat as part of the lawsuit settlement agreement. First of all, no judge would ever approve that as part of a settlement.
And if they’re not required to do that, do you really think NASCAR is really going to give ANY advantage to the team that just sued them and raked them over the coals? Absolutely not. If anything, I’d expect NASCAR to be tougher on 23XI because they’re still not happy about being sued and “losing” to them in court…
That’s not to say that the lawsuit isn’t partially to thank (or blame, depending on which side you’re on) for 23XI’s performance this year. They no doubt got a boatload of cash in the settlement, money that they could reinvest in making their cars better.
And let’s not forget that, aside from last year, 23XI has been a strong team since they made their NASCAR debut. It’s not like they went from worst to first overnight: They’ve been consistent contenders during their entire existence.
But of course, fans always want to accuse the other guy of cheating when their guy isn’t winning. And right now, nobody is winning but 23XI Racing, so here we are.
Personally, I really became a 23XI fan when they took on NASCAR and made the sport better as a result, so it’s nice to see MJ and his team having this kind of success. Am I getting bored with seeing Reddick win? Sure, but that’s what happens when one guy is so dominant. (I also hated the New England Patriots during the Tom Brady years and Jimmie Johnson during his four-peat).
Do I think there’s any funny business going on though? Absolutely not. This is just pure domination from a team owned by a guy who knows a thing or two about domination in sports.
I’m sure as long as they’re winning though, the conspiracy theories will keep flying.
