Court rules in favor of teams on multiple items in NASCAR lawsuit
Today at 09:53 PM
NASCAR has the option to appeal today’s ruling
Following lengthy charter negotiations, 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports elected to skip the deadline to sign. Instead, they opened an anti-trust lawsuit, seeking better charter terms for teams.
NASCAR lawsuit opened by 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports
In the charter agreement, a line noted that teams who signed would be unable to sue NASCAR.
NASCAR was planning to race with 32 charter teams instead of 36 in 2025. They also asked the courts to dismiss the case.
NASCAR requests lawsuit to be dismissed
Courts grant preliminary injunction
In the midst of the lawsuit, 23XI and Front Row Motorsports filed a preliminary injunction. They were asking the courts to grant them the charter agreements, as if they did have sign while the lawsuit is ongoing.
Charter teams are guaranteed a starting spot in every event. Additionally, they earn significantly more than Open teams.
Also, per Tyler Reddick’s contract, it’s required the team supplies him with a charter team.
Today, a judge ruled that they will allow both 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports to sign the existing charter agreements. That will allow them to race as charter teams as the lawsuit continues.
This ruling allows both 23XI and Front Row to continue business as usual while they fight an antitrust lawsuit against NASCAR.
NASCAR removes provision; Allows teams in lawsuit to compete
23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports will be allowed to use additional purchased charters
There’s a separate piece to this puzzle…
23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports each purchased a charter from Stewart-Haas Racing. They would each expand from two cars to three cars. They have asked the court for the transfer of that charter to go through.
NASCAR was attempting to reject the sales to both teams.
Per the court, “Preliminarily enjoined from refusing to approve Plaintiffs' purchases of two Stewart-Haas Racing, LLC charters, which Plaintiffs will be entitled to use to race in all 2025 NASCAR Cup races.”
Jeffrey Kessler comments on the ruling
Kessler is the lawyer for both teams.
“We welcome today’s decision by Judge Bell granting a preliminary injunction in our favor,” Jeffrey Kessler said in a statement.
“The court’s ruling allows 23XI and Front Row Motorsports to race existing cars as chartered teams in next year’s Cup Series. The decision also requires NASCAR to approve both teams’ purchases of a third charter from Stewart-Haas Racing and allow these cars to also race as chartered teams in the 2025 season.”
“We are confident in the strength of our case and will continue to fight so that racing can thrive and become a more competitive and fair sport in ways that benefit teams, drivers, sponsors and most importantly, our fans.”
NASCAR has the option to appeal the ruling.
NASCAR calls team lawsuit "baseless"
Links
NASCAR | 23XI Racing | Front Row Motorsports
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