After the landmark lawsuit triumph, FRM finalizes the pending $30 million deal with the defunct NASCAR Cup Series team

Front Row Motorsports (FRM) has taken a huge step toward expanding to a three-car lineup next season. The team announced the finalization of its third charter purchase from Stewart-Haas Racing amid the ongoing antitrust lawsuit against NASCAR.

FRM is a Ford-affiliated NASCAR team competing in the Cup and Craftsman Truck Series. Earlier this year, the team, alongside 23XI Racing, filed a lawsuit against NASCAR for alleged monopolistic practices, which once held the purchase of the SHR charter worth around $30 million (as per Sports Business Journal).

The court has approved a preliminary injunction to allow Front Row Motorsports to compete as a temporary chartered team and purchase a third charter despite not signing the multi-year charter extension deal from NASCAR.

In a statement, FRM general manager Jerry Freeze said:

"FRM has finalized the purchase of our third charter from Stewart-Haas Racing. Announcements on driver, car number and additional partners will be coming soon."

Meanwhile, veteran NASCAR reporter Bob Pockrass said that NASCAR plans to appeal the injunctions, but the filing dates are yet to be announced.

"FRM announces it has secured charter from SHR. NASCAR plans to appeal injunctions that it must approve the transfer and grant 23XI/FRM ability to race as charter teams while pursuing lawsuit. Timeline for any appeal filing deadlines/decisions TBD," Pockrass wrote.

While the driver is yet to be announced, Front Row Motorsports is expected to sign Zane Smith as its third driver. Smith doesn't have a seat for 2025 after Trackhouse Racing, via Spire Motorsports, dropped him for Shane van Gisbergen.

If the rumors are true, it would mark the driver's return to FRM after winning the Truck Series championship for the team in 2022. The team would also become among the youngest, as the 25-year-old driver would join Todd Gilliland (24) and Noah Gragson (26).

Todd Gilliland will remain in Front Row Motorsports in 2025 - Source: Imagn

However, FRM is yet to finalize its pick for the third seat, which should be out soon considering the season is just around the corner.

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Judge finds FRM and 23XI's 'monopolistic practices' allegations against NASCAR true

After Judge Kenneth D. Bell took over the antitrust lawsuit, the odds seemed to favor plaintiffs Front Row Motorsports and 23XI Racing. The court declared that NASCAR had full control of stock car racing in the US, supporting the teams' monopoly allegations.

Bell also pointed out that NASCAR has highly specialized stock car racing teams that other motorsports racing series like Formula 1 and IndyCar cannot substitute.

An excerpt of the verdict read (via On3):

“The Court finds that NASCAR possesses monopoly/monopsony power in the relevant market, which is the market for premier stock car racing teams in the United States. NASCAR’s Cup Series is the only premier stock car racing series in the United States, and premier stock car racing is a distinct form of automobile racing with unique cars and highly specialized racing teams for which other types of motorsports like Formula 1 and IndyCar are not substitutes.

"Therefore, NASCAR fully controls which race teams can compete at the highest level of stock car racing – effectively, it has a 100% market share."

23XI Racing, co-owned by NBA legend Michael Jordan, is one of the plaintiffs - Source: Imagn

A hearing on NASCAR's motion to dismiss the antitrust lawsuit has been set for January 8. If no agreement is settled, the court has said that a trial will be ordered on December 1.