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23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports have expressed delight over the latest court ruling against NASCAR. The teams welcomed Judge Kenneth Bell's decision to deny the league's motion to stay, allowing them to compete under a temporary charter agreement next year.
23XI is a young Toyota-affiliated team co-owned by six-time NBA champion Michael Jordan and Joe Gibbs Racing driver Denny Hamlin. Meanwhile, FRM is a Ford-affiliated team which has been competing in the sport for about two decades now.
Per X (formerly Twitter), Front Row Motorsports shared the statement from Jeffrey Kessler, the plaintiffs' attorney.
"We welcome today's decision by Judge Bell to deny NASCAR's motion to stay, which will allow 23XI and Front Row Motorsports to compete as chartered teams in the 2025 season and enable Front Row Motorsports to complete their purchase of a third charter from Stewart-Haas Racing," Kessler wrote.
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He added:
"Today's decision represents an important step in advancing my clients' case against NASCAR and their monopolistic practices, while protecting their drivers, race teams, sponsors, and the fan experience. We are confident in the strength of our case and will continue to fight for a more competitive and fair sport for everyone involved in the coming years."
As mentioned in the statement, only Front Row Motorsports has got the approval for a charter transfer as of now. The court stated that 23XI Racing didn't include the charter transaction in the original filing, though it can ask for the same relief.
The charters were acquired from Stewart-Haas Racing, a former race team that left the sport at the end of the 2024 season.
With the denial of NASCAR's motion to stay, Front Row Motorsports' third car expansion should be underway. The team plans to add another car to its two-driver lineup consisting of Todd Gilliland and Noah Gragson.
Meanwhile, 23XI Racing will add Riley Herbst to the current lineup of Tyler Reddick and Bubba Wallace. While waiting for a charter transfer approval, Herbst should run as an open team, which deprives him of charter benefits such as guaranteed race entries.
Denny Hamlin drops subtle reaction to court win against NASCAR
Denny Hamlin seems to have reacted to the court denying NASCAR's motion to stay. The 23XI co-owner posted a GIF of the fictional character Al Bundy celebrating the holiday season in a Christmas costume.
Hamlin posted this GIF on X:
"Merry Christmas Fellas..." the post reads.
This, however, isn't the first time the No. 11 Toyota driver reacted to a court win.
About a week ago, Hamlin wrote a one-word response on X after the court approved a preliminary injunction for his team and Front Row Motorsports.
"YESSSSSSS!!!!!!!" the 44-year-old driver said.
He followed it up with a GIF of Will Smith in the 2006 movie The Pursuit of Happyness. Chris Gardner, played by Smith, expressed relief after landing a major job at a brokerage firm.
Considering the latest developments, 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports should stick around the sport amid the unprecedented lawsuit battle against NASCAR.
