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NASCAR’s 2024 Season: A Legal Battle Unfolds
The 2024 NASCAR Cup Series is shaping up to be one of the most tumultuous seasons in the sport’s history, not just on the racetrack, but in the courtroom as well. A significant development emerged when charter negotiations disintegrated, igniting a high-profile legal feud involving the France family—whose lineage has dominated NASCAR since its inception—and teams 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports (FRM). This legal confrontation disrupts the longstanding operations of the sport, presenting an enormous challenge to the traditional powers at be.
This situation has led to a series of legal maneuvers and court appearances that are critical for both parties involved. As the litigation progresses, we have compiled a comprehensive timeline to track the evolving circumstances of this landmark case.
Tyler Reddick, 23XI Racing, The Beast Unleashed Toyota Camry
Photo by: Matthew T. Thacker / NKP / Motorsport Images
Timeline of Events
September 5: NASCAR establishes a firm deadline for teams to sign the 2025 Charter Agreement after extended periods of negotiations yielded no results.
September 6: 23XI and FRM announce their refusal to sign the 2025 Charter Agreement, stating that they were unable to negotiate fairly for a new contract.
October 2: Both teams file an antitrust lawsuit against NASCAR and the France family, retaining Jeffrey Kessler, a well-known antitrust attorney. The lawsuit accuses the leadership of maintaining “anti-competitive and monopolistic control” over NASCAR, alleging that the France family has operated as “monopolistic bullies” for over 75 years, undermining the interests of team owners, drivers, sponsors, and fans alike.
October 5: Denny Hamlin announces that Michael Jordan, co-owner of 23XI, shared a relevant scene from the film “Moneyball” with him, emphasizing the risks of being the first to confront an entrenched authority.
October 9: 23XI and FRM file for a preliminary injunction to secure their charters for the 2025 season while the legal battle unfolds. They also seek expedited access to documents from NASCAR’s executives, anticipating a lengthy process with trials potentially one to two years away.
October 16: NASCAR responds to the teams’ request for expedited discovery, indicating it will proceed with only 32 charters for the 2025 season.
October 23: NASCAR files a defense against the injunction request, arguing that antitrust laws exist to preserve competition and do not obligate them to grant entry to every team, especially those reluctant to compete.
October 30: In a counter-response, 23XI and FRM reference Tony Stewart’s unsuccessful venture with the Superstar Racing Experience as proof of NASCAR’s exclusionary practices.
October 31: The request for expedited discovery is denied, preventing the teams from accessing crucial information ahead of the injunction hearing.
November 4: A court hearing is convened, featuring arguments from both sides, including 23XI co-owners and NASCAR executives, centered around a provision in the Charter Agreement that prohibits lawsuits against NASCAR.
November 8: Judge Whitney denies the preliminary injunction, determining the teams failed to convincingly demonstrate that they would suffer irreparable harm without it.
November 10: Hamlin remarks that the team’s participation in the upcoming season’s events, like the Daytona 500, is uncertain without their charters.
November 12: Following the court’s ruling, 23XI and FRM file a notice of appeal regarding the preliminary injunction decision.
November 16: NASCAR removes an anti-competitive clause from its rulebook, allowing both teams to compete as open entries in the 2025 season, alleviating concerns about their potential exclusion.
November 18: NASCAR responds to the expedited appeal motion, arguing there is no urgent need for immediate action and suggesting a later date for oral arguments.
November 20: The teams decide to withdraw their appeal of the preliminary injunction as they explore different legal strategies.
November 26: 23XI/FRM re-file their motion for a preliminary injunction, citing new developments related to charter deals, particularly concerning the closure of Stewart-Haas Racing and the urgency of securing charters for the upcoming season.
December 2: In a motion to dismiss the lawsuit, NASCAR argues that the claims are merely the result of frustrations stemming from unsuccessful negotiations and point out that many of the alleged grievances occurred beyond the statute of limitations.
December 11: The judiciary reallocates the case from Judge Whitney to Judge Bell for undisclosed reasons.
December 12: FRM reveals that NASCAR allegedly conditioned the approval of their purchase of a SHR charter on dropping the lawsuit, raising further questions about negotiations and competitive practices.
As these developments unfold, the implications of this legal battle could have long-lasting effects on the structure and governance of NASCAR, reigniting discussions about competitiveness, fairness, and the relationships between teams and the governing body.
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