CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A federal judge has set a hearing for Jan. 8 to hear NASCAR’s motion to dismiss an antitrust lawsuit filed against the stock car series by 23XI Racing and Michael Jordan-owned Front Row Motorsports.
The two teams are pursue NASCAR and were granted a preliminary injunction Wednesday that will allow them to compete as licensed teams in 2025.
Judge Kenneth D. Bell of the U.S. District Court said that “NASCAR fans (and members of the public who might become fans) have an interest in seeing all teams compete against their best drivers and most competitive teams.” » NASCAR said it would appeal its decision and wants its injunction partially blocked pending appeal.
The hearing is the latest in the legal tussle between the two Cup Series teams and the sanctioning body that began at the end of last season. Judge Bell is also expected to rule on other motions. He also set a September 19, 2025 deadline for discovery to be completed and set a trial date of December 1 – after the end of next season.
23XI, the team owned by Jordan and three-time Daytona 500 winner Denny Hamlin, and Front Row declined in September to sign take-it-or-leave-it charter renewal deals offered by NASCAR. A charter is essentially a franchise and guarantees prize money, a spot on the field each week and other protections.
The teams sued, alleging that NASCAR’s owners were “monopolistic tyrants” and lost a bid. in November be recognized as “approved” teams as the trial continues.
23XI and Front Row can now sign the charter agreements and pursue legal action. They also each received permission to purchase additional charters from Stewart Haas Racing, which ranges from four Cup cars against one, although NASCAR must approve transfers to these teams.
