A battle between NASCAR and two of its high-profile teams has been brewing for months in a Charlotte federal court. 23XI Racing, co-owned by Michael Jordan and Denny Hamlin, and Front Row Motorsports have locked horns with NASCAR for a while now. It began with the teams joining a broader antitrust lawsuit. This claim accused NASCAR, led by Jim France, of operating an unlawful monopoly through its charter system. The case quickly became one of the most significant legal challenges in the sport’s modern era. Both sides traded sharp procedural and public blows. In early August, NASCAR attempted to escalate the conflict, filing a motion that hinted at behind-the-scenes coordination between the teams, their drivers, and sponsors. This was a heavy accusation with big repercussions for both teams.
That motion, filed on August 9, alleged that 23XI and FRM had not been forthcoming. The accusation was that the teams had encouraged or worked with drivers and sponsors to send emails and letters warning NASCAR that they might leave the teams if stripped of chartered status. NASCAR painted this as an orchestrated campaign to apply improper pressure during the litigation, framing it as potentially sanctionable behavior. But while the governing body sought to put the spotlight on what it called questionable tactics, the court’s focus has consistently remained fixed on the larger monopoly claims. Now, the latest ruling on the matter has only reinforced that commitment and delivered a stinging setback.
NASCAR lawsuit takes a turn with judge’s verdict on motion
On Monday, Judge Kenneth D. Bell flatly denied NASCAR’s request for a “show cause” order against 23XI and FRM. In his written decision, Bell determined that the motion did not advance the case’s core issues and seemed more intended to sway public opinion or cast the opposing side in a negative light. He underlined that high-stakes cases like this one inevitably invite “gamesmanship” from both sides. But unless actions involve dishonesty or the promotion of false testimony, rallying third-party support from sponsors or partners is neither unusual nor improper. His order was a clear signal that the court would not be distracted from addressing whether NASCAR’s business practices unlawfully restrict competition in stock car racing.
NASCAR filed motion that 23XI/FRM should show why they shouldn’t be sanctioned for what NASCAR alleges was them coordinating with drivers and/or driver reps and/or sponsors to send emails with concerns teams might not be chartered. 23XI/FRM attorney Jeffrey Kessler statement: pic.twitter.com/Dv9og9Zas4
— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) August 9, 2025
The ruling will likely become one of the most talked-about moments in this lawsuit so far. The decision shuts down NASCAR’s attempt to score an interim win against Michael Jordan’s team and its ally. It also publicly frames the motion as a baseless distraction from the central antitrust claims. With the court making it clear that it will not entertain side disputes meant to influence perception, the path ahead is set for an even more concentrated fight over the charter system’s legality. That fight will shape not only the outcome of this case but potentially the commercial and competitive structure of NASCAR for years to come.
This is a developing story.
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