Court filings reveal NASCAR represented by high-powered lawyer in lawsuit against 23XI Racing, Front Row

NASCAR has hired a well-known lawyer in the lawsuit against 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports. Per Bob Pockrass of Fox Sports, the court filings state that NASCAR will be represented by Chris Yates whose client list includes the U.S. Soccer Federation, the UFC, World Aquatics, Fanatics, the Atlantic Coast Conference and the Hollywood Foreign Press Association.

23XI and Front Row filed an anti-trust lawsuit against NASCAR last week, accusing the organization and CEO Jim France of “unlawful monopolization of premier stock car racing in order to enrich themselves at the expense of the premier stock car racing teams.” It comes after both teams opted not to sign NASCAR’s final charter proposal and Atlanta Motor Speedway last month. 23XI is co-owner by Denny Hamlin and Michael Jordan, and Hamlin spoke to reporters about the lawsuit this past weekend.

“In the end, it’s because you’re threatening the status quo and threatening people’s jobs and things like that. I hope it’s not seen that way, just seeing that this is certainly an opportunity for us to try to promote change in the sport that’s positive for everyone. And that’s teams, drivers, fans, everyone. I feel like, certainly on our end, that’s actually been good for me,” Hamlin said, per Motorsport.

More on NASCAR’s lawsuit against Front Row and 23XI

“This is not like just one day, we woke up and said ‘This is going to happen.’ This has been on the plate for a while. And certainly, from my standpoint, it’s provided more relief for me to put more focus on the No. 11 car and everything I have to do there since it’s out, done and now there’s other people out to speak on it, from the legality standpoint.”

Jordan also talked about the lawsuit while he was at Talladega for the YellaWood 500. “…For the smaller teams as well, it’s not just me. Obviously, I think everybody should have an opportunity to be successful in any business,” explained Jordan. “My voice is saying it hasn’t been happening.”

“I’d rather for it to be as quick as possible,” Jordan continued. “I don’t want it to linger long and hopefully, we can come to our senses and come up with something that makes sense for everybody.”