23XI & FRM push back, claim NASCAR blocks open-team path in injunction fight

Amid the ongoing legal battle, 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports filed a response to NASCAR's opposing motion to the preliminary injunction filed by them. Moreover, the plaintiffs have reiterated their previous arguments and argued that the teams would inevitably need the injunction to accept the NASCAR open team agreement.

In a post on X, renowned journalist Bob Pockrass shared an update on the alleged antitrust lawsuit of Michael Jordan-led 23XI and Bob Jenkins-led FRM. He wrote:

"23XI/FRM state open team agreement also requires them to waive right to pursue this type of lawsuit so injunction needed to race."

The Fox Sports journalist also mentioned that NASCAR had already planned a 36-chartered team until mid-September, thus, allowing the injunction to maintain the status quo.

"Teams argue injunction wouldn't harm NASCAR, just keep status quo of 36 charter teams."

As the antitrust lawsuit filed by 23XI and FRM progressed, the two teams filed a preliminary injunction which allows them to retain their charter entries for the 2025 season amid the lawsuit. However, NASCAR filed a 22-page response opposing the injunction by calling it meritless and planning a field of 32 charter teams instead of 36.

Additionally, Pockrass reported that the decision of the preliminary injunction can also be appealed after the scheduled hearing.

"The preliminary injunction hearing is Monday. The judge could rule that day or in the days following (typically would be that week). A preliminary injunction decision can be appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals," he wrote.

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"I don't see it getting changed,": Former NASCAR driver weighs on the antitrust lawsuit against NASCAR

Veteran Cup Series driver Ken Schrader discussed the legal battle between 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports against NASCAR & Co.

With almost three decades of experience in the stock-car racing series, the 69-year-old Schrader touched upon the controversial topic and how the two Cup Series teams want to instill change in the sport.

"I don't see it getting changed a lot because somebody wants it to change" said Schrader via Kenny Wallace's YouTube channel. [0:30]

The former Hendrick Motorsports driver added:

"I did see one comment for Denny. It said all we want NASCAR to do is pay for our expenses. Well, hell yeah, any business would want someone else to pay for their expenses. If you have a serious, serious problem with the way things are, maybe you're not involved in the right thing. It costs all this money to run this team, but we must not be worried about a couple million a year here and there with the kind of facility they built."

However, 23XI co-owner Michael Jordan opened up on his motivation for bringing change in the sport by filing the lawsuit. The NBA icon stated that he was driven by a desire to support smaller teams and his love for racing.