NASCAR's potential 32-charter season raises eyebrows as Kenny Wallace warns of a strategic money-saving tactic

Kenny Wallace has shared his thoughts on NASCAR's potential 32-charter field for the 2025 season. The veteran Cup Series driver believes that this strategic move made by NASCAR is to make the situation difficult for 23XI and FRM, and a cost-cutting tactic in the future.

The 22-page NASCAR response to the motion filed by Michel Jordan-owned 23XI Racing and Bob Jenkins-owned FRM cites that it has taken consistent steps for its contractual obligations for 13 of the 15 Cup Series teams.

NASCAR currently fields 36 chartered entries. However, it is planning a season with 32 charters as the plaintiffs (23XI and FRM) failed to meet the NASCAR-imposed deadline to sign the newly proposed charter contract.

Reflecting on the possible reduction of charters from 36 to 32, former driver Wallace raised a question to fans in a post on X (formerly Twitter). He asked:

"Right now there's 36 charters, if they go to 32, what does that do for NASCAR?" [3:30]

Furthermore, he talked about the four Stewart-Haas Racing charters, which were up for grabs after SHR announced its exit from stock-car racing. To this, the 61-year-old said:

"By the way listen to this, you know the four charters Stewart-Haas racing has, they are still theirs. Another piece of news with SHR, they signed the contract that NASCAR asked them to sign a while back. So SHR still has those four charters even though, people have verbally bought them. So you know, FRM and 23XI bought two of those." [3:40]

The former Fox Sports analyst continued:

"This is my opinion, I really believe that NASCAR is reducing the charter in the starting field to make it more difficult. Why would you get rid of four charters, so you don't have to pay as much money? I'm thinking to myself here." [4:45]

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"NASCAR is working on reallocating funds," reports Bob Pockrass amid potential charter reduction from 36 to 32

Amid the ongoing antitrust lawsuit, NASCAR has filed a response opposing the expedited discovery motion and preliminary injunction filed by 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports. Additionally, Jim France and co. have claimed the basis of the plaintiff's motion is "meritless."

The preliminary injunction filed by the Cup teams was to grant them to retain their charters throughout the 2025 season amid the legal battle. However, NASCAR's latest statement claims that the antitrust lawsuit is baseless and an attempt to extort more favorable contract terms.

Furthermore, Fox Sports journalist Bob Pockrass in a post on X, reported that NASCAR is working on reallocating the funds that would have served as the revenue for 23XI and FRM. He wrote:

"NASCAR is working on reallocating funds that Plaintiffs would have received to increase prize money and other special awards for the 2025 season for the benefit of teams that timely executed 2025 Charters, as well as Open teams who can compete to win the increased prize money."

Until the court decides on its ruling, the future of these two Cup teams remains in unchartered waters. This is a big storyline for the sport as this will set the course for the next seven years for NASCAR Cup Series teams.