Denny Hamlin reacts to 23XI, Front Row obtaining preliminary injunction to race as chartered NASCAR teams in 2025

23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports obtained the preliminary injunction on Wednesday to race as chartered teams in 2025 amid their antitrust lawsuit against NASCAR and as you could imagine, Denny Hamlin is thrilled with the outcome.

Hamlin, the 23XI co-owner, gave his thoughts on social media just before Bob Pockrass of FOX Sports broke the news.

“YESSSSSSS!!!!!!!,” Hamlin wrote on X.

In addition to giving 23XI and Front Row the ability to run as chartered teams as opposed to open teams next season, both teams can purchase a charter from Stewart-Haas Racing as they previously agreed to. NASCAR must approve the transfer to them, Pockrass noted. NASCAR can appeal the ruling to the U.S. Courts of Appeals, though it is currently unclear if it will.

23XI, Front Row earn major victory in case against NASCAR

The teams initially lost the first preliminary injunction request they filed in November. 23XI and Front Row refiled, and a new judge in the case granted their request without a hearing. The decision guarantees that NASCAR will have 36 chartered teams in 2025, as has been the norm for years. The sanctioning body had been planning to operate with 32 chartered teams.

“The Court hearby enters a limited preliminary injunction only for the duration of the 2025 NASCAR Cup season as follows,” the court decision reads. “Defendants and their agents, servants, employees, attorneys, and all persons in active concert or participation with Defendants, must allow Plaintiffs to each enter two race cars in all NASCAR Cup races under the 2025 Charter Agreement terms applicable to all charter teams, with the exception that the ‘release’ language in Section 10.3 of the 2025 Charter Agreement shall not be enforceable to the extent that it would release or bar Plaintiff’ claims in this action.

“Further, NASCAR is preliminarily enjoined from refusing to approve Plaintiffs’ purchases of two Stewart-Haas Racing, LLC charters, which Plaintiffs will be entitled to use to race in all 2025 NASCAR Cup races on the same terms as other charter teams, again with the exception of the application of the release language to Plaintiffs’ claims in this action.”

The court also set a timeline for a potential trial. 23XI and Front Row have requested a trial that will conclude prior to the 2026 NASCAR season.