In what is proving to be a long drawn out affair, earlier this year 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports refused to sign the new contract with NASCAR; citing an unfair monopoly by NASCAR. The issue has gone to court.
On Wednesday, Judge Kenneth D. Bell ruled in favour of 23XI and FRM, allowing an injunction that would permit the two teams to run the 2025 season under the 2024 charters and acquire a third charter purchased from Stewart-Haas Racing who ceased operations at the end of the 2024 season.
NASCAR has stated that they will be appealing the ruling but are also asking that the transfer of the charters be delayed until the appeal is heard and that the teams post an injunction bond.
NASCAR believes that they will not only win the appeal, but have said that they will be harmed without it; while stating that the two race teams will not be harmed. NASCAR further claims that they were not given the opportunity to address any issues with the charter purchases.
NASCAR claims they would suffer “irreparable harm” by “being forced to approve the Stewart-Haas charter sales” and “be forced into a seven to 14 year contractual relationship with 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports”.
Had 23XI and FRM signed the new contract, they too would be “forced” into a contractual relationship with NASCAR.
NASCAR further claims that the two teams have not met all of the required conditions to purchase the charters; adding that it would be difficult to “undo” the charters.
Judge Kenneth D. Bell has stated that he will rule on whether to delay enforcement of the injunction appeal on December 23. He noted that the sale of the charters cannot conclude until he makes his ruling.