NASCAR wanted to ‘put a knife’ in SRX, text messages reveal

NASCAR executives were not thrilled about their stars participating in Superstar Racing Experience (SRX) – the now-defunct all-star series staged at short oval tracks – as revealed by text messages included in exhibits in the ongoing antitrust lawsuit between NASCAR and 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports.

The messages were part of a trove of documents that were unsealed late Friday. NASCAR, 23XI Racing and Front Row will be in court beginning Dec. 1 for trial proceedings.

SRX debuted in 2021. The series, created by Tony Stewart and Ray Evernham, invited drivers from various racing disciplines to compete in identically prepared race cars. It was held for six weeks during the summer with television coverage from ESPN and then CBS. The series s topped operating after the 2024 season. Some of its assets were sold to GMS Race Cars earlier this year.

Participation by NASCAR drivers was possible because the races were held on Saturday nights, enabling those who wanted to compete to make the journey from wherever NASCAR was competing that weekend to the SRX event.

Among those from NASCAR who participated during SRX’s brief tenure (2021-24) were Chase Elliott, Ryan Blaney, Denny Hamlin, Kyle Busch, Daniel Suarez, Brad Keselowski, Justin Marks and Kevin Harvick. Elliott won twice in the series, as did Busch, and Hamlin also picked up a win.

Another text thread about the series in 2022 was also released: