Stewart-Haas Racing executive reveals new update on charter sale process

A lot is up in the air over how the 2025 NASCAR season will play out. Stewart-Haas Racing is not expecting any changes. Or should I say, Haas Factory Team is not expecting any changes.

Stewart-Haas Racing team president Joe Custer is a busy man. With four teams to operate now, he is likely looking forward to cutting back to a single team next season.

Custer caught up with Bob Pockrass of FOX Sports at Las Vegas tonight. The team executive offered a little insight into the ongoing charter drama caused by the 23XI/Front Row lawsuit against NASCAR.

Pockrass wrote, “He [Joe Custer] told me their understanding as far as their charter sales is no change to the process or the expectation. He isn’t planning on having more than 1 [one] charter nor having to sell charters to someone else.”

Checked in with SHR's Joe Custer on pit road prior to Xfinity race. He told me their understanding as far as their charter sales is no change to the process or the expectation. He isn't planning on having more than 1 charter nor having to sell the charters to someone else.

— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) October 19, 2024

The big question right now is whether 23XI and Front Row can operate as chartered teams next year. Both would hypothetically have three teams apiece. However, recent court filings reveal that NASCAR has plans to move forward with only 32 chartered teams in the 2025 season.

That would mean four of the currently chartered teams would not have charters next season. So, the four teams that 23XI and Front Row currently operate. Stewart-Haas Racing signed the new agreement for all four of their charters.

Does that mean, even if they sell those charters that the agreement transfers to 23XI and Front Row? NASCAR has yet to approve the sales of either charter to these two teams as of right now. What do you think will happen?

Denny Hamlin has not heard different on Stewart-Haas Racing charters

While Denny Hamlin is in the middle of a championship battle in the NASCAR Playoffs, his team is in the middle of a legal dispute. The lawsuit from 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports against NASCAR looms large over the sport.

Right now, we have only heard the initial complaint as well as a couple of motions and requests. 23XI and the plaintiffs want an injunction to allow them to operate as chartered teams without giving up their antitrust claims. They also are seeking expedited discovery.

According to Bob Pockrass of FOX Sports, Hamlin has not had any discussions with NASCAR about next year’s charters. 23XI and Front Row are both supposed to purchase a charter each from Stewart-Haas Racing. That is awaiting approval.

One would think this would be a huge distraction. Denny Hamlin insists that it is not. He will try to prove as much in these next three races and earn himself a spot in the Championship 4.