“Anti-trust?”; “It’s bigger than that”-  NASCAR fans react to 23XI Racing and FRM possibly losing their charter

NASCAR fans have shared their takes regarding 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsport's chances of losing their Cup Series charter. The two said teams have opted out from signing the latest NASCAR Charter agreement and were the only two teams in the pinnacle stock car racing series to do so.

Denny Hamlin and Michael Jordan's co-owned team said later the governing body did not provide a fair bargaining opportunity for them to comply with the terms.

As things stand, a total of six Charters are free due to 23XI Racing and FRM's noncompliance. Two from 23XI Racing (Tyler Reddick and Bubba Wallace), two from FRM (Michael McDowell and Todd Gilliland), and two from Stewart-Haas Racing that 23XI Racing and FRM were reportedly aiming for after SHR's dissolution.

After the non-compliance, reports surfaced that the two teams might lose their charters next season. Journalist Bob Pockrass shared his take via a post on X (formerly Twitter) on the question of next year's charters.

Reacting to this, fans replied to the veteran journalist. Some put forward their queries, while others have given their takes on the situation as a whole.

One fan said,

"Anti-trust?"

Another fan shared his thoughts on the Charter situation, saying

"Well, it’s bigger than that, Bob. If NASCAR revokes, then the current charters are worthless. Why own a charter (30-40million) and have no negotiating power? NASCAR will just take all the money, and charters have no say. This is what you get when Marxist run a sport," l.

Another fan said,

"I thinks it's pretty easy to predict Nascar has a clause in the contract that Charters must be "actively used." As to not just hold as an asset hoping it appreciates and any inactive charter goes back to Nascar. And they don't have much "legal standing" when 85% of other teams signed."

Here are some more fan reactions:

"That’s logical to assume, but if that’s truly the case, then why did so many other teams sign?" asked one fan.

"It's obvious that Hamlin promised a return to his partners he won't be able to meet unless it comes out of his own pockets. He's in over his head," said another fan.

"Hard to imagine NASCAR making that mistake. The publicity with MJ being a team owner would not be good for them," a third fan wrote.

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"David facing Goliath"- Michael Jordan's confidante on 23XI Racing's tussle with NASCAR

Tyler Reddick (2nd from R) celebrates with CurtisPolk (L) and Team 23XI Racing's co-owners Denny Hamlin (2nd from L) and Michael Jordan [R] after winning the 2024 regular season championship. Source: Getty Images

Curtis Polk, Michael Jordan’s long-time business manager, has opened up about 23XI Racing's tussle against NASCAR regarding the charter deal. Polk said NASCAR has "undue influence over the sport."

Polk said (via FOX News),

"Nascar has consistently refused to deal with 23XI in these negotiations. We are David facing Goliath, NASCAR has superior bargaining power and undue influence over the sport and the charter process."

Polk added,

“They wielded this power continuously over the past few months and consistently rejected broad team requests on major issues while providing minor changes for pet issues that some teams requested in one-on-one meetings.”

Over the last few years, 23XI has become one of the top NASCAR teams, with real influence in the sport. Besides Michael Jordan's imposing presence, Denny Hamlin's active ownership role and Tyler Reddick's fascinating 2024 regular season races made the team a force to reckon with.