What is the difference between charter and non-charter NASCAR teams? Insider breaks it down

A recent development amid the ongoing legal battle between two Cup Series teams and NASCAR has birthed a query inside the stock-car racing community. Renowned journalist Bob Pockrass gave a brief yet pertinent response to that.

23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports have filed an antitrust lawsuit against NASCAR and CEO Jim France. Moreover, earlier this month, the two teams filed a preliminary injunction to grant them to retain their charters to compete in the 2025 season and an expedited discovery motion.

However, NASCAR has reportedly filed a 22-page response opposing the plaintiff's motion and deemed it "meritless". This fallout has led to 23XI and FRM potentially losing out on their charters, as NASCAR, in their response, is planning a 32-chartered field instead of 36 in the 2025 season. Furthermore, NASCAR is in the works to reallocate the funds the plaintiffs would have received in the 2025 season.

As a result, a NASCAR fan on X(formerly Twitter) asked the Fox Sports journalist the perks of being a chartered team rather than a non-chartered one. Pockrass replied:

"Charter car is guaranteed starting spot in the race. Charter teams get $$ for racing every week and based on historical performance of charter so typically would make approximately 3-4x what an open team makes for finishing in the same spot for a race."

Moreover, a NASCAR veteran believes it to be a strategic money-saving tactic on a potential 32-charter season by NASCAR.

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Kenny Wallace shares his two cents on NASCAR's potential 32-chartered field

Former NASCAR driver Kenny Wallace shed light on the possible reduction of the 36 chartered entries to 32 in the upcoming season. The 61-year-old claimed that this move by the governing body was to make things difficult for the two Cup Series teams.

23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports were the only two Cup Series teams that didn't comply with NASCAR's charter proposal. Moreover, they missed the NASCAR-imposed charter deadline and filed a lawsuit based on alleged monopolistic practices.

As the case progressed, the teams filed a premeilary injunction to allow them to compete for the 2025 season amid the legal battle. TNASCAR sent an opposing motion to that and hinted at a possible 32 charter plan for the next season.

Reflecting on this recent development, the former Fox Sports analyst raised a couple of questions for NASCAR fans on X (formerly Twitter) on the potential 32 charter field.

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

Furthermore, the veteran driver did some loud thinking and said:

"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]

The court hearing is set for Nov. 4, 2024, at the U.S. District Court in Charlotte, North Carolina. Till then, the future of these famed Cup teams remains in uncharted waters.