NASCAR accuses 23XI and FRM of coordinating driver emails amid charter dispute

Amid the ongoing legal battle between two Cup Series teams and NASCAR, Bob Pockrass has shared an update on the new filings by 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports.

The two famed Cup teams also filed a preliminary injunction which allowed them to retain charters amid the lawsuit but was denied by a federal judge based on insufficient proof to indicate irreparable harm. As the legal battle proceeded, NASCAR removed the anticompetitive clause from the 2025 rulebook, which previously refrained the two teams from fighting the lawsuit as open teams.

Moreover, 23XI and FRM were looking to expand their operations as two charters were in the market after Stewart-Haas Racing announced its departure, which, as per recent reports, is in limbo.

As a result, NASCAR has responded to 23XI and FRM's argument of them losing out on sponsors and drivers if the Cup Series teams compete as open teams next season.

Pockrass shared an update on the suit and the latest injunction filed by 23XI Racing and FRM.

"NASCAR argues that no 23XI nor FRM driver says he will leave the teams if they are not chartered and even if a driver would leave, the teams were the ones who put in contracts that drivers could leave if they didn’t have a chartered car. NASCAR also alleged that there appeared to be a coordinated effort by the teams to have the drivers send emails, an allegation denied by 23XI President Steve Lauletta in court filings," Pockrass wrote in his FOX Sports column.

23XI and FRM based their lawsuit on the alleged anti-competitive practices by the sport's sanctioning body. After the delayed charter negotiations, all teams but 23XI and FRM signed the NASCAR-imposed charter proposal deadline.

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"The transfers to 23XI and FRM would be approved" - SHR's Joe Custer claims quoting NASCAR, as per Bob Pockrass

Former Stewart-Haas Racing president Joe Custer hinted towards the double standards of NASCAR for not living up to its word. Custer claimed that NASCAR had told him on more than one occasion that the charter transfers would be approved.

Renowned journalist Bob Pockrass cited Custer's statement:

"23XI/FRM filing today includes affidavit from SHR's Joe Custer, who says that NASCAR had told him on more than one occasion (no dates given) that the transfers to 23XI and FRM would be approved. He said they do not have the personnel/resources to run two more teams."

As things stand, 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports have announced their 2025 Cup Series drivers. Riley Herbst is set to join Bubba Wallace and Tyler Reddick in the 23XI shed.

On the other hand, Noah Gragson will compete under the FRM's Ford roster alongside Todd Gilliland.