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The two teams are suing NASCAR and were granted
a preliminary injunction Wednesday that will allow them to
compete as chartered teams in 2025.
U.S. District Court Judge Kenneth D. Bell said that “NASCAR fans
(and members of the public who may become fans) have an interest
in watching all the teams compete with their best drivers and
most competitive teams.” NASCAR has indicated it will appeal his
ruling and wants his injunction partially blocked pending the
appeal.
The hearing is the latest in the legal brawl between the two Cup
Series teams and the sanctioning body that began late last
season. Judge Bell is set to decide other motions, as well. He
also set a Sept. 19, 2025, deadline for discovery to be
completed and set a trial date of Dec. 1 — after the completion
of next season.
23XI, the team owned by Jordan and three-time Daytona 500 winner
Denny Hamlin, and Front Row refused in September to sign
take-it-or-leave it charter renewal offers made by NASCAR. A
charter is essentially a franchise and guarantees prize money, a
spot in the field each week and other protections.
The teams filed suit alleging NASCAR owners are “monopolistic
bullies” and lost a bid in November to be recognized as
“chartered” teams as the suit continues.
23XI and Front Row can now sign the charter agreements and still
pursue their lawsuit. They also each were granted permission to
purchase additional charters from Stewart Haas Racing, which is
going from four Cup cars to one, though NASCAR must approve the
transfers to those teams.
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