Brad Keselowski names 23XI, Front Row lawsuit as one of two threats to NASCAR

When it comes to the future of NASCAR, Brad Keselowski sees two things as the biggest threats to the sport, and the lawsuit is one of them. 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports are in court with NASCAR over antitrust claims, and Keselowski sees that as a potential issue.

As a driver-owner, Brad Keselowski has a lot of investment in the sport. The future of NASCAR will determine his long-term financial future.

Speaking with Kelley Earnhardt Miller on Business of Motorsports, Keselowski was asked about potential threats to the sport’s long-term future. He had an interesting answer.

“Well, I would say there’s 1A and 1B that are the two biggest threats for me. You know, one is whatever falls out of the charter lawsuit dispute between 23XI, Front Row Motorsports, and NASCAR. That is a significant threat to all of NASCAR which transcends the Cup Series. So, how that kind of unfolds is a threat to the sport.”

23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports are taking NASCAR to court over what they claim are anticompetitive business practices. It has nothing to do with competition on track, but everything to do with the business of the sport.

The lawsuit has a chance to impact the charter agreements, Next Gen car and single-source suppliers, and potentially rules surrounding limitations put on Cup Series drivers in the Xfinity and Truck Series, as well as other aspects of the sport.

Brad Keselowski concerned about OEMs in NASCAR

Other than the lawsuit, Brad Keselowski has another major concern. OEMs. Chevy, Ford, and Toyota are the three OEMs for NASCAR at the moment. Dodge jumped ship years ago at this point.

That puts NASCAR in a vulnerable position as the auto market and motorsports world continues to change.

“Outside of that, the OEM picture and landscape is a significant threat,” Keselowski continued. “You know, NASCAR’s been operating with three OEMs now for probably a decade, decade and a half now, I would say. It’s a bit of a precarious position to be in. I feel like the sport needs about four maybe five OEMs to be kind of its max, healthy position. And three is like, if one walks away there’s a set of dominoes that fall. And I look at the OEM landscape and the car guys, the next decade is going to be tough for them. They’re going to have some really difficult decisions to make.

“We’re continuing to see regulations push battery-electric vehicles. You know, the marketing aspect of that, there’s something to be said for that for NASCAR, but it’s not that particularly. It’s more or less the financial ramifications. As we’re seeing companies like Tesla take off and take market share. We’re seeing the Asian auto market really take off and take market share from the current NASCAR OEMs, and potentially move into the United States and take market share. So, the OEMs are under massive pressure and they’re under attack and eventually, that’s going to work its way to NASCAR. I probably see that, outside of whatever happens with this charter lawsuit, as being the biggest threat to NASCAR because it’s not in our control.”

Brad Keselowski has a lot to be worried about as a team owner and driver. In the next ten years, the sport will look much different than it has ever looked.