Court rulings and official NASCAR announcements

Michael Jordan's 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports Can Compete as Open Teams in 2025 Amid NASCAR Antitrust Lawsuit

Nov 16, 2024, 02:20 PM

23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports, owned by Michael Jordan, have appealed a trial judge's denial of a preliminary injunction that would allow them to compete as chartered teams in the 2025 NASCAR season while their antitrust lawsuit against NASCAR continues. The appeal has been docketed in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit. The teams have requested that the appeal be expedited and heard during the court’s next scheduled session on December 10-13, arguing that "irreparable harm has already begun because [they] cannot assure sponsors, drivers, and fans that they will be able to compete as chartered teams in 2025—a condition that puts those critical relationships with sponsors, drivers, and fans at immediate risk." NASCAR opposes the request to expedite, preferring the standard briefing schedule, which would mean the appeal wouldn't be heard until March 18 at the earliest. NASCAR must file a response by Monday to the teams' request to expedite. In a recent development, NASCAR removed a provision from the open team agreement that previously prevented teams from competing while involved in legal action against the organization. This change allows 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports to compete as open teams in 2025 while continuing their lawsuit. However, the teams are still pursuing their appeal to compete as chartered teams, which would provide them with guaranteed entry into races and additional benefits.