- Participation of 23XI Racing and FRM had been in doubt after initial request for injunction was rejected
- Two teams had refused to sign Nascar’s ‘take it or leave it’ offer on revenue-sharing
- Nascar will also have to allow both outfits to purchase charters from Stewart-Haas Racing
Michael Jordan’s 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports (FRM), the two Nascar teams suing the stock car racing series over an antitrust complaint, have been granted a preliminary injunction that will allow them to compete as chartered teams in 2025.
This week’s court ruling, which was delivered by US District Judge Kenneth D Bell, means 23XI Racing and FRM can compete in the Nascar Cup Series next season and receive the same benefits as other chartered teams while still pursuing their lawsuit against the series.
In addition, both teams have been granted permission to purchase charters from Stewart-Haas Racing, which has closed its Nascar operation at the end of the 2024 season. The judge also ruled that Nascar must approve those purchases.
Related posts
- 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports confirm open entries in 2025 Nascar Season
- 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports may not race in 2025 after court rejects injunction request
It will be seen as a significant win for the two teams, who had refused to sign Nascar’s proposal for a new charter agreement in September before filing an antitrust lawsuit against the series, in which they accused the organisation of monopolistic practices.
Their request for an injunction was initially rejected by US District Judge Frank D Whitney, which cast doubt over the involvement of 23XI Racing and FRM in the 2025 season.
FRM owner Bob Jenkins had told the Associated Press that the two teams stood to miss out on US$45 million in combined revenue if they competed as ‘open’ entries without charters.
However, in the latest ruling, Bell wrote: “Here, the public interest strongly favours entry of a limited preliminary injunction in favour of the Plaintiffs during the 2025 Nascar race season, both to give fans of stock car racing the opportunity to watch (and root for and against) the full slate of teams and to allow Plaintiffs’ antitrust legal challenges to be considered.”
Nascar has the ability to appeal the decision, which will only last for the duration of the 2025 season.
Charters were introduced in Nascar in in 2016 and owning one guarantees a team prize money and a place in the field for each race, as well as other protections.
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