"I don't see it getting changed a lot" - Ken Schrader makes opinion clear on 23XI-FRM lawsuit against NASCAR as a former driver and team owner
Long-time Cup Series driver Ken Schrader has weighed in on the ongoing legal battle between NASCAR and Cup Series teams 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports. While the teams hoped to invoke change within the sport by filing the antitrust lawsuit, the now-retired veteran driver doesn't believe much will change in the wake of it.
The controversial topic was brought up to Schrader in a recent interview via Kenny Wallace's YouTube page. Coming from a perspective of a former driver and owner, Schrader noted someone new, being Michael Jordan, came into the sport and wanted change. However, the Missouri native said NASCAR has operated the same way it has for the last 70 years, therefore he doesn't see anything changing now.
"I don't see it getting changed a lot because somebody wants it to change. I did see one comment for Denny. It said all we want NASCAR to do is pay for our expenses. Well, hell yeah, any business would want someone else to pay for their expenses. If you have a serious, serious problem with the way things are, maybe you're not involved in the right thing. It costs all this money to run this team, but we must not be worried about a couple million a year here and there with the kind of facility they built. I don't know. Everybody would always like things to be better, no matter what kind of job they got or what they're involved in, but kinda know going in what the deal is."
23XI Racing, co-owned by Jordan and Cup Series driver Denny Hamlin, and Front Row Motorsports, owned by Bob Jenkins, filed an antitrust lawsuit against NASCAR after not reaching a charter renewal agreement.
The teams accused the sport and CEO Jim France of monopolistic practices and violating the Sherman Antitrust Act. The teams later filed an injunction to retain their charters for 2025, ensuring they can compete in the Cup Series throughout the legal proceedings. NASCAR imposed the preliminary injunction, stating that it's only justified in "extraordinary circumstances," to which this scenario isn't.
Michael Jordan says the ongoing lawsuit is not just for the benefit of 23XI Racing
Retired NBA legend Michael Jordan recently told FOX Sports that he had other Cup Series teams in mind when filing the suit. The co-owner of 23XI Racing said their legal battle against the sport is not just for themselves and they hope to reach an agreement soon.
"I did it for the smaller teams as well. It's not just me. I think everybody should have an opportunity to be successful in any business. My voice is saying that it hasn't been happening. ... Hopefully we [at both sides] can come to our senses and figure out something that can make sense for everybody."
On the racetrack, 23XI Racing still has a shot at the championship as Tyler Reddick is still in the hunt in his #45 machine. Reddick has won two races this season and the regular season championship.