"They should’ve taken the money and shut up" - NASCAR fans react to 23XI-led antitrust complaint over charter restrictions

NASCAR fans on social media reacted strongly after the latest update in the lawsuit by 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports over the charter agreements and monopolistic practices.

Fox Sports' Bob Pokrass updated the latest accusations by teams which argued thata NASCAR's charter rules stop them from making a fair profit. They claim that NASCAR's control over which teams can race and the way the sport is set up is unfair. 23XI and FRM want more freedom to compete in other series.

NASCAR responded that the teams won't force it to change its policies.

"Basic NASCAR response is elite stock-car racing is too narrow a definition of a market in determining antitrust, that the market incl at the very least other racing series/motorsports. And just b/c 23XI/FRM disliked charter terms, NASCAR can't be forced to do business w/them," Pockrass wrote.

Reacting to the updates, fans on X criticized the teams and said that they should stop complaining.

"This was honestly a bad play on the part of the teams involved with the lawsuit. They should’ve just taken the money and shut up," wrote one user.

"Successful businesses do one thing. Spend less than they make. It’s really very simple and the total amount doesn’t really matter. I just don’t see the teams argument. If race teams get more money, they’ll just spend more," wrote another.

"Why can't this just go away? no one cares. I don't even know (or understand) what the issue is but I'm starting to side with Nascar for no other reason than Jordan and Hamlin seem to be acting like jerks," wrote yet another.

Others, though, believe that teams will be forced out of the sport due to outdated practices by NASCAR.

"23/11 and front row are gone from the sport. NASCAR will continue its iron fist approach until they are dead as a sport…they had excellent support from Michael Jordan, and are pushing him out of the sport…NASCAR is a joke…boomers who refuse to change with the times," wrote one fan.

"Well, every team is basically salesmen now so...," commented another.

"Elite? Lol pre determined outcomes," wrote yet another.

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NASCAR teams continue to fight after new judge appointment

Michael Jordan and Denny Hamlin's 23XI and Bob Jenkin's FRM asked for permission to race as chartered teams while suing NASCAR.

They didn't sign the 2025 charter agreement in September and filed the lawsuit in October. Their request was denied by Judge Frank D. Whitney, and they were expected to race as open teams next year.

However, they resubmitted the injunction on Nov. 26 to a new judge, Kenneth D. Bell. The teams, led by lawyer Jeffrey Kessler, claim that NASCAR is creating a monopoly by owning most of the tracks, controlling car parts and stopping teams from racing in other series.

NASCAR has tried to dismiss the case and argued that it's just about better contract terms.