The NASCAR antitrust lawsuit is gaining momentum, with 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports taking on NASCAR and its Chairman, Jim France, in federal court. The lawsuit, filed on October 2, 2024, accuses NASCAR of violating antitrust laws, with the teams seeking a bigger share of the financial pie and more influence within the NASCAR Cup Series.
This legal battle could bring significant changes to the sport, making it a closely watched case for racing fans and industry insiders alike.
On October 23, NASCAR filed its official response, pushing back hard against the teams’ request for a preliminary injunction. The teams had asked to keep their status as chartered teams while the lawsuit played out, despite a clause in their agreement that typically bars such legal actions.
NASCAR, however, has made its position clear: they won’t make exceptions for 23XI and Front Row, particularly when most Cup Series teams have already signed their charter agreements for the upcoming season.
NASCAR’s response included plans to reduce the number of chartered teams from 36 to 32 for the 2025 season, while increasing the number of open cars in the field from four to eight. 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports, notably, have yet to sign their charters for next year. NASCAR argues that the teams can still compete as open entries and that any financial losses they might face could be handled with monetary compensation if they win the case. This, NASCAR believes, makes a preliminary injunction unnecessary.
The core of NASCAR’s defense rests on their claim that the antitrust allegations are unlikely to hold up. NASCAR asserts that its Cup Series is not a monopoly, pointing to the variety of other racing and entertainment options available. Additionally, NASCAR defends its exclusivity clauses, arguing that these provisions are common in professional sports and help create a more competitive product for fans, broadcasters, and sponsors.
With a deadline of October 30, the teams are preparing their response to NASCAR’s filing. They’re also pushing for expedited access to key documents ahead of the November 4 preliminary injunction hearing. As the legal battle continues, all eyes are on how the judge will handle these upcoming decisions, which could have a lasting impact on NASCAR’s future.
