NASCAR Lawsuit Update: Organization denies claims of irreparable harm in response to 23XI-Front Row appeal
The latest development in the lawsuit filed against NASCAR by Cup Series teams 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports came out on Monday morning. After the teams filed an appeal for being denied an injunction to retain their charters for the 2025 Cup Series season, the organisation has shot down the idea that the teams will suffer "irreparable harm" if they compete without a charter next year.
NASCAR's statement is in response to 23XI and Front Row seeking an expedited appeal for being denied the preliminary injunction to retain their charters for next season. The statement was brought to light by NBC Sports reporter Dustin Long, who penned the message on his personal X account. NASCAR said in the statement:
"Plaintiffs’ primary claim of irreparable harm—that they might lose sponsors, drivers, and fans if they compete as “open” teams during NASCAR’s 2025 Cup Series season—is both unsubstantiated and baseless"
The organization also told the Court of Appeals that there's no rush for the appeal and that the short timeframe the teams gave the sport to file their opening brief was unreasonable, in another statement posted to X by Long.
"There is no urgency to this appeal, and certainly no urgency that would justify Plaintiffs’ extraordinary request to require NASCAR to file its opening brief within a mere 12 days," NASCAR said.
23XI Racing, co-owned by retired NBA legend Michael Jordan and Cup Series driver Denny Hamlin, and Front Row Motorsports, owned by Bob Jenkins, filed an antitrust lawsuit against NASCAR and its CEO Jim France last October after being the only two teams to not reach a charter agreement. The teams accused the sport and France of monopolistic practices and violating the Sherman Antitrust Act.
The teams filed an injunction to retain their charters to ensure they can still compete in the Cup Series while the legal proceedings unfold. Since NASCAR's denial of their appeal, neither 23XI nor Front Row have made a statement on the latest development.
Tyler Reddick made the Championship 4 this season despite his team's ongoing legal battle
Tyler Reddick muscled his way past Ryan Blaney on the final lap to win at the Homestead-Miami Speedway, the second race of the Round of 8, to qualify for his first Championship 4. The driver of the #45 23XI Racing Toyota was in his second season with the team this year.
The irony that Reddick clinched a spot in the title race while his team battles NASCAR in a lawsuit was brought to light by retired NASCAR driver and TV personality Kenny Wallace in a post via X.
"The team that is suing NASCAR just locked themselves in the championship race," he wrote.
Unfortunately for Reddick, he was unable to capture the big prize and finished fourth among the Championship 4 drivers. He won the regular season championship while also registering three wins this season, coming at Talladega, Michigan and Homestead-Miami.