Judge denies injunction for 23XI and FRM in NASCAR antitrust case
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A federal judge denied a request from two NASCAR Cup Series teams that would’ve let them race under the new charter agreement without being bound to an alleged clause preventing them from pursuing antitrust litigation.
23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports sought an injunction allowing them to compete as chartered NASCAR Cup Series organizations next season. They argued not competing as chartered organizations would “threaten their existence” with the sponsors, drivers and goodwill they’d lose. They also alleged that NASCAR has the power to exclude open teams altogether with the agreement.
A judge believed the teams didn’t meet their burden of proof.
“Here, although Plaintiffs have alleged that they will face a risk of irreparable harm, they have not sufficiently alleged present, immediate, urgent irreparable harm, but rather only speculative, possible harm. That is, although Plaintiffs allege they are on the brink of irreparable harm, the 2025 racing season is months away — the stock cars remain in the garage,” the ruling read. “As such, this speculative harm does not warrant the extraordinary relief of a preliminary injunction.”
The court denied the injunction without prejudice, acknowledging the teams could refile the motion “should circumstances change.”
The court also intends to fast track the case and directed NASCAR to file an answer addressing the claims against them by Dec. 2, “even if it is accompanied by a motion to dismiss.” The court also directed attorneys to meet by Dec. 16 as a part of the fast-tracking process.
Read the full ruling here:
Discover more from The Racing Experts
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
Jonathan Fjeld View All
Jonathan Fjeld is the co-owner of the The Racing Experts, LLC. He has been with TRE since 2010.
A Twin Valley, MN, native, Fjeld became a motorsports fan at just three years old (first race was the 2002 Pennsylvania 500). He worked as a contributor and writer for TRE from 2010-18. Since then, he has stepped up and covered 24 NASCAR race weekends and taken on a larger role with TRE. He became the co-owner and managing editor in 2023 and has guided the site to massive growth in that time.
Fjeld has covered a wide array of stories and moments over the years, including Kevin Harvick's final Cup Series season, the first NASCAR national series disqualification in over 50 years, Shane van Gisbergen's stunning win in Chicago and the first Cup Series race at Road America in 66 years – as well as up-and-coming drivers' stories and stories from inside the sport, like the tech it takes for Hendrick Motorsports to remain a top-tier team.
Currently, he resides in Albuquerque, N.M., where he works for KOB 4, an NBC station. He works as a digital producer and does on-air reports. He loves spending time with friends and family, playing and listening to music, exploring new places, being outdoors, reading books and writing among other activities. You can email him at fjeldjonathan@gmail.com