Live Update: Michael Jordan and Denny Hamlin’s 23XI Racing Secure Major Legal Victory Over NASCAR!
Big news from the courtroom! Michael Jordan and Denny Hamlin’s 23XI Racing team have scored a critical win in their ongoing legal battle against NASCAR. A recent ruling granted the team a preliminary injunction, allowing them and co-plaintiff Front Row Motorsports (FRM) to race as chartered teams next season while continuing their antitrust lawsuit against the motorsports giant.
What This Means for 23XI Racing
This ruling is a game-changer. A charter guarantees a team a spot in every race, including the prestigious Daytona 500, where prize money is massive. While the court hasn’t ruled on the larger “monopoly” allegations yet, the decision marks an early victory in what could reshape NASCAR’s business model.
How It Started: Monopoly Allegations Against NASCAR
The lawsuit, filed on October 3, accuses NASCAR of anti-competitive behavior, including restrictive rules that prevent teams from competing in other stock car races and requiring them to buy parts only from NASCAR-approved vendors. By granting the injunction, the court acknowledged the potential “irreparable harm” teams could face without it—such as losing drivers like Tyler Reddick or Noah Gragson, or sponsors like Monster Energy and Love’s Travel Stops.
The injunction ensures 23XI Racing and FRM remain chartered teams for the upcoming season, securing their place in every race while the legal battle continues.
Court Highlights NASCAR’s Monopoly Power
In a notable observation, U.S. District Court Judge Kenneth Bell stated, “NASCAR’s Cup Series is the only premier stock car racing series in the United States… effectively, it has a 100% market share.” This recognition bolsters the plaintiffs’ claim that NASCAR wields excessive control over the sport, sidelining competition and independent team choices.
Relief for Stewart-Haas Racing’s Charter Deals
The ruling also forced NASCAR to approve the sale of two charters from the now-defunct Stewart-Haas Racing (SHR) team to 23XI and FRM. Both teams had long-standing agreements to purchase one charter each, but NASCAR allegedly withheld approvals to pressure them into dropping the lawsuit. With the court’s intervention, these transfers are now set to proceed, allowing the teams to expand to three cars each in the next season.
For 23XI Racing, this means adding Riley Herbst to a lineup already featuring Tyler Reddick and Bubba Wallace. Meanwhile, FRM’s expanded roster will likely include Todd Gilliland, Noah Gragson, and Zane Smith.
Plaintiffs’ Reaction and Next Steps
Plaintiffs’ attorney Jeffrey Kessler hailed the decision, saying, “The court’s ruling allows 23XI and Front Row Motorsports to race existing cars as chartered teams in next year’s Cup Series. The decision also requires NASCAR to approve both teams’ purchases of a third charter from Stewart-Haas Racing for the 2025 season.”
However, this battle is far from over. NASCAR could appeal the ruling, and if the lawsuit ultimately fails, the charter purchases could be overturned.
What’s Next for NASCAR and Its Teams?
As 23XI Racing and FRM gear up for an expanded presence on the track, all eyes are on the broader implications of this case. Could this lawsuit trigger a shake-up in how NASCAR operates? Or will the motorsports giant maintain its grip on the sport?
For now, the racing world is buzzing, and with big names like Michael Jordan, Denny Hamlin, and Tony Stewart involved, this legal drama is far from the finish line.
What are your thoughts on this groundbreaking ruling? Let us know in the comments below!
