Dale Earnhardt Jr. Finds 23XI's Surge After NASCAR Lawsuit 'Weird'

NASCAR analyst calls out conspiracy theories surrounding 23XI's hot start to the season.

Published on Mar. 4, 2026

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NASCAR analyst Dale Earnhardt Jr. has expressed his surprise at 23XI Racing's strong start to the 2026 season, winning the first three races after settling a lawsuit with NASCAR. Earnhardt called the situation "ironic" and "weird," as some fans have speculated that NASCAR rigged the outcomes to favor 23XI after the lawsuit settlement. However, other NASCAR analysts have strongly dismissed these conspiracy theories as illogical and unrealistic.

Why it matters

The conspiracy theories surrounding 23XI's success have highlighted the intense scrutiny and skepticism that can surround a team's performance, especially when it comes after a high-profile legal dispute. This case underscores the challenges NASCAR faces in managing perceptions and maintaining the integrity of the sport in the eyes of its passionate fanbase.

The details

After winning the Daytona 500, Atlanta, and COTA to start the 2026 season, 23XI Racing and driver Tyler Reddick have been the talk of the NASCAR world. However, some fans have suggested that NASCAR may have rigged the outcomes to favor 23XI after the team settled a lawsuit with the sanctioning body. Dale Earnhardt Jr. addressed these conspiracy theories, calling the situation "ironic" and "weird." Other analysts, such as Jeff Gluck and Jordan Bianchi, have strongly dismissed the conspiracy claims as illogical and unrealistic, pointing out the lack of similar accusations when other top drivers have achieved milestones.

  • 23XI Racing won the Daytona 500 on February 20, 2026.
  • 23XI Racing won the race at Atlanta Motor Speedway on February 27, 2026.
  • 23XI Racing won the race at Circuit of the Americas on March 3, 2026.

The players

Dale Earnhardt Jr.

A former NASCAR driver and current NASCAR analyst for Dirty Mo Media.

Tyler Reddick

The driver for 23XI Racing who has won the first three races of the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series season.

23XI Racing

A NASCAR team co-owned by Michael Jordan and Denny Hamlin that has won the first three races of the 2026 season.

Jeff Gluck

A NASCAR analyst who has dismissed the conspiracy theories surrounding 23XI's success.

Jordan Bianchi

A NASCAR analyst who has also rejected the conspiracy theories surrounding 23XI's success.

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What they’re saying

“So ironic, too, that they sue the sport and then they settle, but you'd call it a win, and then they come out and win the first three races of the year. I mean, so weird.”

— Dale Earnhardt Jr., NASCAR Analyst (Dirty Mo Media)

“Logically, I mean, I shouldn't even try to apply logic, but think about this. Let's say NASCAR was like, 'All right, they won the lawsuit, and we're going to give them some advantage. Let's have them win the first three races of the year.' That won't be super obvious or anything.”

— Jeff Gluck, NASCAR Analyst (The Teardown)

“You've got to go back further than that. You've got to be like, we're settling this multi-million-dollar lawsuit in December. One last thing, one last amendment we're going to add in there for 23XI. 'We're not just going to win the Daytona 500. We want Daytona, Atlanta, and COTA.' NASCAR's like, 'Seriously?' And MJ's like, 'I work in threes. That's how I do my business.'”

— Jordan Bianchi, NASCAR Analyst (The Teardown)

The takeaway

This case highlights the intense scrutiny and skepticism that can surround a team's success, especially when it comes after a high-profile legal dispute. While the conspiracy theories surrounding 23XI's hot start may be unfounded, they underscore the challenges NASCAR faces in maintaining the integrity of the sport in the eyes of its passionate fanbase.