“That is immediate irreparable harm”- NASCAR influencer makes his case as Jim France pulls 'the rug out from under' 23XI and FRM

Amid the antitrust lawsuit battle, NASCAR influencer Eric Estepp recently shared his opinions on reports of the NASCAR governing body not complying with 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports to buy charters from Stewart-Haas Racing,

As the legal battle progressed, the Cup Series teams, 23XI and FRM filed a preliminary injunction, allowing them to retain charters. However, the federal court denied this on the grounds of insufficient proof for claims of irreparable harm, such as the loss of sponsors and drivers by both teams.

As per recent reports, NASCAR has revoked the sale of two SHR charters, despite approving the transfer of charters in September. In light of the same, YouTube sensation Estepp offered his take on 23XI and FRM's perspective on how the scenario has changed since NASCAR's recent decision. He said:

"These latest filings to me express a heightened sense of urgency. 'Hey! We were told months ago that these transfers would be approved so we began hiring, budgeting, building in preparation for that. Now you've pulled the rug out from under us, we've been left out to dry that is immediate irreparable harm.' That's in a nutshell, I think the argument the teams are attempting to make here," Estepp said [at 12:14].

While NASCAR has instructed 23XI and FRM to sign the charter agreement if they want to get the transfers approved, SHR's former president voiced his opinions on NASCAR's double standards.

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SHR's Joe Custer accuses NASCAR of its double standards, per NASCAR Insider

After Tony Stewart and Gene Haas announced the departure of Stewart-Haas Racing from the Cup Series after this season, the four charters of SHR were left in the market. As a result, 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports planned to expand their two-car operations.

According to renowned journalist Bob Pockrass, an affidavit from former SHR president Joe Custer in the new filing showed him claiming NASCAR has favored transferring the two SHR charters to 23XI and FRM on various occasions.

"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," Pockrass wrote on X.

Moreover, Custer emphasized how the new Haas Factory Team, downsized by SHR's departure, doesn't have the resources to run more than one charter in the upcoming season.

As things stand, the new Gene Haas-owned HFT retained one Cup car team for the 2025 season former Xfinity Series champion Cole Custer taking the reins. Additionally, HFT will field two Xfinity Series entries.

On the other hand, amid the legal battle, 23XI Racing announced Riley Herbst as their third Cup driver, and Front Row Motorsports, who also plans to add a third car entry, announced former SHR driver Noah Gragson to its roster.