Court makes major ruling on 23XI, Front Row 2025 charters amid NASCAR lawsuit

A federal court in Charlotte has made a ruling in the preliminary injunction hearing as part of 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports’ antitrust lawsuit against NASCAR and its CEO Jim France.

Frank D. Whitney, the United States District Judge in the case, has denied the preliminary injunction for 23XI and Front Row to run as chartered teams in 2025 while pursuing their lawsuit, Bob Pockrass of FOX Sports reported Friday.

“At this time, Plaintiffs have not met their burden as required for a preliminary injunction,” Whitney said in a statement. “Should circumstances change, Plaintiffs may file a renewed motion for preliminary injunction.”

NASCAR president Steve Phelps told Jordan Bianchi of The Athletic he had no comment on the court’s decision.

23XI and Front Row filed the preliminary injunction with the hopes of it allowing both teams to continue as chartered entities next season while pursuing their current lawsuit. Both the teams and NASCAR made their arguments in writing, as well in court Monday.

23XI Racing, Front Row Motorports vs. NASCAR: Lawsuit set to continue through offseason

NASCAR currently operates with 36 chartered teams and four open cars in its 40-car field each week. With 23XI and Front Row declining to sign NASCAR’s take-it-or-leave-it charter agreement offer ahead of the playoff opener at Atlanta Motor Speedway in September, the stock car series plans to run 32 chartered teams and eight open cars next season.

“The Motion seeks to change the status quo, not maintain it; is about money, not irreparable harm; and fails to show a likelihood of success on the merits. This lawsuit is not about protecting competition; it’s a bid by Plaintiffs to secure more money than they could through arm’s-length negotiations. The Motion should be denied,” NASCAR wrote of the injunction request in an Oct. 23 court filing, via Joseph Srigley of Racing America.

The teams argued that to even compete as open teams, a clause exists which would release NASCAR from any future litigation.

“The teams argue that NASCAR would not be harmed by the injunction because the series had planned to have 36 chartered teams and allowing them to compete as chartered teams while pursuing the lawsuit was maintaining the status quo,” Jenna Fryer of the Associated Press wrote Monday.

The ruling comes just two days prior to the season finale at Phoenix Raceway, in which one of Joey Logano, Ryan Blaney, William Byron and Tyler Reddick will become the next Cup Series champion.