Judge overseeing 23XI, Front Row-NASCAR lawsuit sets expected conclusion date for trial

On Wednesday, Judge Kenneth Bell granted the preliminary injunction for 23XI Racing and Front Row in the NASCAR lawsuit. Judge Bell also set the boundaries for the upcoming trial which looks more likely with this injunction.

Barring a settlement between 23XI-Front Row and NASCAR, this is set to go to trial. In the event that it does go to trial, there is a rough timeline for the proceedings.

In the Order from the judge, NASCAR has to allow 23XI and Front Row to sign the charter agreement, excluding the release language about suing the sanctioning body. They must also be allowed to purchase the charters from Stewart-Haas Racing as planned.

In the third section of the Order, Judge Bell set the Case Management schedule as well.

“A Case Management schedule will be set by the Court which, in the absence of a voluntary resolution of this dispute among the Parties, provides for a trial on Plaintiffs’ claims to be concluded in advance of the beginning of the 2026 NASCAR race season.”

That deadline might feel arbitrary, but it is there for a reason. The preliminary injunction is only good for the 2025 season. Having a resolution by 2026 would avoid having to issue another injunction for that season.

Judge Bell issued a few statements in his ruling. Not only about charters. No one was happier than Denny Hamlin. The NASCAR lawsuit is only beginning.

NASCAR lawsuit: Judge determines there is a monopoly

Perhaps the most significant fallout of today’s ruling in the NASCAR lawsuit is that the court finds that NASCAR does have a monopoly. When it comes to premier stock car racing, the sanctioning body virtually has 100% control of the market.

Now, this does not speak to the ultimate question in the lawsuit. It is not a decision on whether NASCAR operates in anti-competitive practices, simply stating that it is the only series of its kind in America.

As the only series for premier stock car racing in the United States, NASCAR has a monopoly. There are no other series that compete against it. The court finds that this claim from 23XI and Front Row is accurate.

“The Court finds that NASCAR possesses monopoly/monopsony power in the relevant market, which is the market for premier stock car racing teams in the United States. NASCAR’s Cup Series is the only premier stock car racing series in the United States, and premier stock car racing is a distinct form of automobile racing with unique cars and highly specialized racing teams for which other types of motorsports like Formula 1 and IndyCar are not substitutes. Therefore, NASCAR fully controls which race teams can compete at the highest level of stock car racing – effectively, it has a 100% market share.”

That checks off one box for 23XI and Front Row. Again, Judge Kenneth Bell did not speak to the other Sherman Act violations the teams allege. So, this case is far from being determined.