The tensions from the 23XI Racing lawsuit are rising by the day as the teams have now lost the chance of participating in 2025 as a chartered team. The two teams claim NASCAR has a stranglehold on the sport, pointing to control over racetracks, exclusivity deals, and ownership of parts and cars as evidence of monopolistic behavior. But did NASCAR respond?
NASCAR’s charter system, which guarantees race spots and prize money for teams, is being called out for allegedly limiting competition. According to the teams, it benefits NASCAR while squeezing team owners, drivers, sponsors, and even fans. There has recently been an update straight from Bob Pockrass on X (formerly Twitter) on the situation.
As usual, NASCAR had some sharp words in response to the motion filed by 23XI and Front Row Motorsports to expedite the appeal process. In the statement, NASCAR dismissed the urgency of the motion, pointing out that “there is … certainly no urgency that would justify Plaintiffs’ extraordinary request to require NASCAR to file its opening brief within a mere 12 days, over a period that includes the Thanksgiving holiday.”
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And it didn’t stop there. NASCAR also flagged how the proposed timeline would be unfair to the court, stating, “Plaintiffs’ proposed schedule is highly unfair to this Court: it would give the Court only one week with that briefing before oral argument.”
The teams sought a preliminary injunction to maintain their chartered team status during the legal fight but were denied. NASCAR has removed the contentious anticompetitive release requirement, so 23XI and Front Row can still compete in 2025—but only as open teams for now.
This is a building story, stay tuned for updates.