Denny Hamlin reveals 23XI Racing's thinking on participating in 2025 Clash as Open team

Next NASCAR season for Denny Hamlin’s 23XI Racing organization is still up in the air. They will race, but there are still question marks. With three drivers racing as open teams, barring an injunction from the court, it could be an interesting year.

The Clash this season is at Bowman Gray Stadium. It is a historic return for NASCAR and the venue. While it hosts Weekly Series races throughout the year, the Cup Series has not been there in decades.

However, with the costs and potential damages and extra costs of that – 23XI Racing might sit out of the Clash. After all, open teams do not have to attend. Only chartered teams are mandated to show up.

“I don’t know. I think a lot of dominoes need to fall. Sponsorship, things like that,” Hamlin said, via Bob Pockrass of FOX Sports. “So, I don’t know that that decision’s been rock solid, made yet. But you know we um, things are so fluid, over the next few weeks we’ll probably know more.”

When asked if there was a benefit to the Clash, Hamlin said there was. However, there are also downsides.

“Yeah it’s always a good, The Clash is always a good repetition. A rep,” Hamlin said.
“It’s certainly one where even though you don’t have pit crews there, it’s good for the teams to work some kinks out. So, yes. But also you know, it’s, you’re probably going to go down there and tear up a lot of stuff. So, I don’t know, we’ll see.”

Charter teams must participate in the Clash, but Open teams are not required to attend. Would 23XI Racing skip the Clash if they have that choice as an Open team? Denny Hamlin isn't sure: pic.twitter.com/DTQQLKouJM

— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) November 22, 2024

During the NASCAR Awards on Friday, Denny Hamlin spoke about many things. He had a crew chief change, an ongoing lawsuit at 23XI Racing, and the normal questions around performance and next season that drivers get this time of the year.

Denny Hamlin gives update on charter purchase

Despite announcing his third team and driver at 23XI Racing this week, Denny Hamlin still does not have a third charter in his hands. 23XI is still in the process of purchasing a NASCAR charter from the now-defunct Stewart-Haas Racing.

With the ongoing antitrust lawsuit against NASCAR, it might take a while. NASCAR has to approve the purchase and right now, it doesn’t look like that is going to happen any time soon.

At the NASCAR Awards, Denny Hamlin talked about the charter purchase. Or lack thereof at the moment.

Bob Pockrass of FOX Sports reported that Hamlin, “said nothing is complete as far as the SHR charter to 23XI. He said he knows the options as far as that charter but can’t talk about it.”

So, it is still unclear how that situation will work out. Riley Herbst will drive the No. 35 next year as an open car or chartered car. Tyler Reddick and Bubba Wallace will do the same thing in the 45 and 23 cars as well.