While the antitrust lawsuit against NASCAR continues, the sanctioning body has removed an anti-competition provision from its rules, allowing 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports to compete as open teams in 2025.
The move ends speculation that the game will deny teams the chance to compete next yr, however the fight against the brand new charter agreement is much from over.
The teams' attorney, Jeffrey Kessler, released the next statement in response to the news: “We are pleased to announce that NASCAR has removed the anti-competitive admission requirement in its open agreement, which is able to now allow 23XI and Front Row Motorsports to race as open teams in 2025. My clients will proceed to appeal to the Fourth Circuit for an injunction allowing them to compete as chartered teams, thereby avoiding irreparable harm.
“Both race teams are pleased to continue to be participants in the sport they love while fighting to keep it fair and equitable for all.”
Tyler Reddick, 23XI Racing, The Beast Unleashed Toyota Camry, Denny Hamlin, Joe Gibbs Racing, FedEx Toyota Camry
Photo: John Harrelson / NKP / Motorsport Images
Where is that this going?
All indications are that starting open teams could end in a big lack of revenue for 23XI and Front Row Motorsports, while also putting them susceptible to missing races because they are going to not be closed. Although starting numbers rarely exceed the 40-car maximum today, open teams are forced to race the Daytona 500, and a few all the time go home after duels.
In fact, Saturday's events only put to rest rumors that NASCAR is not going to allow teams to start out in 2025 because they query the legality of the brand new charter agreement they refused to sign up September. Denny Hamlin made a splash throughout the season finale when he suggested that 23XI won’t race next yr if he failed to take care of his charter, but that not appears to be the case.
Earlier this month, a judge denied their request for a preliminary injunction to preserve the statute throughout the trial, citing that that they had failed to satisfy the burden of proof, finding that they’d suffer irreparable harm.
Both race teams are appealing the choice as their 4 charters expire at the top of the calendar yr. They are also within the strategy of purchasing two charters from the now-defunct Stewart-Haas Racing, but that deal can’t be accomplished as a result of the dispute.
