23XI Racing, co-owned by basketball icon Michael Jordan and NASCAR driver Denny Hamlin, and Front Row Motorsports are taking a bold stand by requesting permission to compete in the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series despite a looming legal battle.
The two teams, which have not signed NASCAR’s latest charter agreement, filed a motion for a preliminary injunction in the U.S. District Court. Their goal is to continue racing as chartered teams in the upcoming season without sacrificing their antitrust lawsuit against NASCAR.
The conflict over NASCAR’s charter agreement began when 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports were the only teams that did not sign the new deal by the September 6th deadline. Both organizations are determined to retain three charters each, including those acquired through agreements with Stewart-Haas Racing.
Court filings from both teams illuminate their position, asserting that relinquishing their antitrust claims to secure charters would cause “severe and irreparable harm.” Their request for a preliminary injunction confirms a desire to keep racing under the 2025 charter terms without affecting their legal pursuits. The court filings state, as quoted by NBC:
A detail view of 23XI Racing signage in the garage area prior to NASCAR Cup Series Championship at Phoenix Raceway on November 06, 2022 in Avondale, Arizona. 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports request permission to continue racing in 2025 despite lawsuit.
Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images
” … if Plaintiffs cannot obtain charters for the 2025 season without giving up their antitrust rights, they will suffer severe and irreparable harm. They have brought this motion for a preliminary injunction so that they can continue to compete in Cup Series events under the terms of the 2025 Charter Agreements without risking forfeiture of their antitrust claims.”
The teams have taken additional legal steps, including a motion for expedited discovery. This requires NASCAR to provide important documents from executives like Jim France and Lesa France Kennedy. Among the requested documents are records of discussions about mandatory release provisions in the 2025 charter, shifts from team negotiator-led agreements to individual negotiations, and the rationale behind the ultimatum-driven final offer.
At the helm of 23XI Racing are notable figures such as Denny Hamlin, Michael Jordan, and Curtis Polk, while Front Row Motorsports is owned by Bob Jenkins. Both teams released the following statement:
“The 23Xl and Front Row Motorsports teams are fully committed to competing in next year’s Cup Series.
“Today’s procedural filing is the next step in advancing our case against NASCAR and their monopolistic practices, while protecting our drivers, race teams, and sponsors by establishing our legal right to run in 2025.”
The two teams had previously shared, as reported by Newsweek Sports:
“We share a passion for racing, the thrill of competition, and winning. Off the racetrack, we share a belief that change is necessary for the sport we love. Together, we brought this antitrust case so that racing can thrive and become a more competitive and fair sport in ways that will benefit teams, drivers, sponsors, and, most importantly, fans.”
