NASCAR has intensified its legal battle with 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports (FRM), pushing back against claims of urgency surrounding their re-filed preliminary injunction. The teams, including Michael Jordan-owned 23XI, argue that new circumstances—such as impending deadlines to secure a third charter and sponsor commitments for the 2025 season—demand immediate legal action. However, NASCAR has dismissed this urgency as “orchestrated,” accusing the teams of creating unnecessary time pressure during the holiday weekend.
Fox Sports journalist Bob Pockrass reported on X (formerly Twitter) that Jim France and NASCAR opposed the proposed timeline, which sets crucial deadlines for Thanksgiving and the following weekend. NASCAR’s filing criticizes the teams for strategically timing their motion to shift the burden onto the defendants over the holiday period. As stated in their filing: “The Court should reject this orchestrated urgency.”
This legal back-and-forth follows a federal court’s earlier decision to deny the teams’ initial motion for a preliminary injunction. That ruling found that 23XI and FRM failed to demonstrate “irreparable harm” that would justify their request to compete as chartered teams during the ongoing antitrust lawsuit. Despite the setback, the plaintiffs remain determined to press forward. Their attorney, Jeffrey Kessler, announced plans to introduce fresh evidence and emphasized the need to challenge NASCAR’s alleged monopoly over charter agreements.
Kessler’s statement highlights his clients’ commitment to securing their position in NASCAR’s highly competitive landscape. He declared: “23XI and Front Row Motorsports are submitting a second preliminary injunction to strike down NASCAR’s restrictive practices. We are confident the court will protect my clients from these anticompetitive actions.”
Meanwhile, uncertainty looms over the teams’ participation in key events leading up to the 2025 season. 23XI co-owner Denny Hamlin recently addressed speculation about the team potentially skipping the Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium—a pre-season race mandatory for chartered teams. Hamlin revealed that sponsorship decisions and legal outcomes would ultimately determine their path. He remarked: “Things are so fluid. Over the next few weeks, we’ll probably know more.”
As the legal proceedings continue, the fate of 23XI and FRM hangs in the balance, casting doubt on their ability to secure a foothold in NASCAR’s 2025 season. The outcome of this case could significantly shape the future of the sport’s competitive and regulatory landscape.
