23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports opened an antitrust lawsuit against NASCAR. Trial is expected for later this year as the teams seek better terms regarding the charter agreement.
NASCAR lawsuit opened by 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports
23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports elected not to sign the new charter agreement for this season. A line in the agreement would have prevented teams from opening a lawsuit against NASCAR.
Recently, NASCAR won an appeal, allowing them to take away charter benefits.
On Thursday, NASCAR and the teams were in court as part of a preliminary injunction hearing. NASCAR is now looking to transfer the charters claimed from the teams to new teams ahead of the 2026 season. Meanwhile, the teams are seeking to have their charter status returned until the completion of the antitrust lawsuit trial.
A ruling is expected next week on that issue.
“Everybody is going to get hurt if this thing goes a certain way,” Judge Bell said on Thursday. “If either party feels certain they’re going to win, they’re wrong.”
And, he’s not wrong. On Thursday, very spicy text messages from both sides were used in a court hearing.
23XI Racing elected not to sign the new charter agreement. Joe Gibbs Racing, an affiliated team, did sign the charter agreement.
According to text messages, when he heard that JGR signed, he responded, “f—-rs”. And he called all the teams that signed it, “p—–s”.
Additionally, while speaking with a member of the team he owns, Jordan was warned of the financial impacts with a lawsuit. He responded, “I have lost that much in a casino.”
After these texts were shown in court, Jordan was asked how he feels about it. He responded at the courthouse after the hearing, “I expected it.”
Michael Jordan comments on the NASCAR lawsuit after hearing
Denny Hamlin is the driver of the No. 11 car. He’s also a co-owner of 23XI Racing.
Hamlin texts appeared in court saying, “my despise of the France family runs deep” while urging his partners not to “sabotage our own business over principle when it comes down to it.”
NASCAR team owned by Michael Jordan could be ‘out of business’
23XI president Steve Lauletta was not excluded from the drama.
“Being in for the long haul and Jim dying is probably the answer.”
Jim France is the CEO and Chairman of NASCAR. He’s currently 80 years old.
Brad Keselowski says the NASCAR lawsuit is a threat to the sport
And, it went both ways. NASCAR themselves were not excluded from the dirty laundry.
“We have all the leverage and the teams will almost have to sign whatever terms we put in front of them.”
Another message discussing charter terms read, “here is a bit more money, f–k off everywhere else.”
NASCAR has an agreement to transfer a charter amid lawsuit
Ahead of the charter deadline, the teams and NASCAR went back and forth for years to hash out a team. Toward the end of 2024, NASCAR drew a hard line.
Steve Phelps was recently named the NASCAR commisioner. However, at the time of the message below, he had the role of President.
Phelps texted, “pick a date and they (teams) can either sign or lose their charters. It is that simple.”
NASCAR commissioner speaks on the antitrust lawsuit
NASCAR | 23XI Racing | Front Row Motorsports
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