In recent months, NASCAR has faced growing tensions over its charter agreements, particularly with teams like 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports (FRM). These tensions have been further exacerbated by an ongoing anti-trust dispute that has raised serious concerns about the sport’s integrity. While these teams were granted permission to compete in the 2025 season, the legal battle is far from over. As the 2025 season approaches, however, NASCAR has introduced a new rule that has sparked widespread controversy.
This new rule limits each team to a maximum of three charters, but there is a major exception for Hendrick Motorsports (HMS) and Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR), which have been grandfathered in and allowed to maintain four charters. NASCAR insider Bob Pockrass revealed this development, adding that teams not previously holding four charters would be restricted to three, although they could field a fourth car through an open charter, which does not come with the financial backing or guarantees that a regular charter would provide.
This revelation has angered many fans, who feel the rule unfairly favors the larger, more established teams like HMS and JGR, giving them an unfair advantage over smaller, newer teams. Teams like Trackhouse Racing and 23XI Racing, which were hoping to expand to four cars, will now be restricted to three unless they can secure additional resources to field a fourth car as an open entry. Operating four cars is considered more financially sustainable than three, as it allows teams to spread costs across more drivers, secure sponsorships, and manage expenses more effectively. This change puts smaller teams at a distinct disadvantage, as they lack the financial backing of larger operations.
This isn’t the first time NASCAR has adjusted its charter system. In 2006, NASCAR proposed a limit on the number of charters, forcing Roush Racing to downsize from five to four over three years. Now, with the new rule, HMS and JGR are allowed to keep their four charters, a decision that has led to criticism from fans, who feel this creates an uneven playing field. Some fans are even demanding that these teams be forced to sell a charter, similar to what was done with Roush Racing.
Fans argue that the new rule undermines competition by favoring larger teams and creating a barrier for smaller teams trying to compete at a higher level. They are calling for NASCAR to either make HMS and JGR downsize their operations or to give all teams an equal chance to run four cars. The situation remains fluid, but the backlash from fans continues to grow as the 2025 season draws nearer.
