23XI Racing President Steve Lauletta defends Curtis Polk after NASCAR countersuit

23XI Racing president Steve Lauletta showed support for team co-owner Curtis Polk after NASCAR attacked him following its countersuit. On Tuesday morning, Lauletta went to X/Twitter to reveal how much he has enjoyed working with Polk over the last four years.

“I have been in this sport for over 30 years,” Lauletta wrote. “The past 4+ often learning from Curtis’s insights and experience which has led to any and all of the success 23XI Racing has found both on and off the track.”

In the countersuit, NASCAR singled out Curtis Polk out for being the ringleader against the current charter agreements signed by most Cup Series teams last fall. The governing body also questioned Polk’s knowledge of stock car racing.

“I don’t think Mr. Polk really understands the sport,” NASCAR attorney Christopher Yates told the Associated Press. “I think he came into it and his view is it should be much more like the NBA or other league sports. But it’s not. No motorsport is like that. He’s done a lot of things that might work in the NBA or might be OK in the NBA but just are not appropriate in NASCAR.”

23XI Racing co-owners Michael Jordan and Denny Hamlin have Curtis Polk’s back

Polk co-owns 23XI Racing with NASCAR driver Denny Hamlin and NBA legend Michael Jordan. Through a spokeswoman, Jordan shared his reaction to NASCAR going after Polk.

“Curtis and MJ stand united. His perspective is if you are coming after Curtis, you are coming after him,” the spokeswoman said. “He doesn’t look at this as just business. It’s personal.”

Hamlin also shared his thoughts on Yates’ comments. “That’s like saying a chef doesn’t know how to cook. He’s built Michael Jordan’s empire for the last 30 years. The guy knows the business,” Hamlin said. “Curtis has just been fantastic for our team and certainly a pioneer, I believe, and a trailblazer for new ideas that our team uses every single time we hit the racetrack and how we do business.”

Curtis Polk has been by Michael Jordan’s side since 1989. He manages Jordan’s financial and business affairs as well the family office and other related companies. Polk was was part of the Charlotte Hornets ownership group and advised Jordan during the launch of Nike’s Jordan Brand in 1997.