CHARLOTTE, N.C. \u2014 Front Row Motorsports and 23XI Racing were denied an injunction in their antitrust lawsuit and will not be recognized as chartered race teams for the remainder of the NASCAR Cup Series season.<\/p>\n
Judge Kenneth Bell of the U.S. District Court for the West District of North Carolina issued his ruling because NASCAR agreed last Friday not to sell the charters until after the court case transpires beginning in December.<\/p>\n
Though they will receive less money than the chartered teams, the two operations, which represent six cars, will race as open teams the remainder of the season, however, because of NASCAR\u2019s recent rule change, the teams will be guaranteed spots in the fields.<\/p>\n
In making his ruling, Judge Bell wrote: \u201cFirst, NASCAR has changed its \u201cOpen\u201d racing rules in a way that guarantees that Plaintiffs will be able to fully participate in each of the remaining Cup Series races. \u2026 the loss of the \u201cfixed\u201d Charter payouts and the uncertainty of ongoing relationships with drivers and sponsors can either be compensated with money damages at trial or is simply inherent in the risks associated with the lawsuit.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat will happen for the 2026 racing season will remain unsettled for everyone involved in the NASCAR Cup Series until after trial. Therefore, there is no irreparable harm with respect to the loss of \u201cCharter rights\u201d for the remainder of the 2025 Cup Series.\u201d<\/p>\n
Jeffrey Kessler, attorney for the two teams, responded to the judge\u2019s ruling on Wednesday afternoon.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are grateful that Judge Bell has made clear that the status quo is being maintained \u2014 protecting my clients\u2019 rights to regain their charters if they prevail at trial and ensuring their ability to continue racing through the 2025 season based on NASCAR\u2019s commitments,\u201d Kessler said in a statement. \u201cEqually important, Judge Bell reaffirmed his broad power to order meaningful changes in NASCAR should we succeed, so that teams, drivers, sponsors, and fans can benefit from a sport positioned for long-term growth and restored competition. We are ready to present our case at trial in December.\u201d<\/p>\n
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