The brewing legal storm surrounding NASCAR has taken a bold turn, as 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports (FRM) have filed a federal anti-trust lawsuit, accusing the sport’s governing body of monopolistic practices. The suit, which emerged after both teams refused to sign the final charter agreement offered by NASCAR, claims that the organization is stifling teams from receiving what they truly deserve. And now, an anonymous NASCAR team owner has weighed in with some striking comments about how this legal battle could reshape the sport forever.
23XI Racing, co-owned by NBA legend Michael Jordan, and FRM have displayed significant courage by taking this high-stakes legal action. As one team owner anonymously told The Athletic, the decision to sue NASCAR isn’t for the faint of heart, and many of their fellow teams – despite sharing the same frustrations – simply didn’t have the guts to go down this path.
“I did not have the balls to do what 23XI and FRM are doing because I was afraid I’d lose my charters,” the owner admitted.
This fear of retaliation from NASCAR is reportedly why the other 13 teams on the grid chose to sign the deal, despite similar concerns. It appears the lawsuit is a calculated gamble by 23XI and FRM, who are taking on NASCAR head-on, while the rest of the teams watch from the sidelines.
A long-time NASCAR executive, also speaking anonymously, gave his take on how the lawsuit could evolve. According to him, none of the involved parties—whether it be NASCAR, 23XI, or FRM—are likely to back down easily. He described the impending legal battle as a pivotal moment that could have major consequences, either elevating the sport to new heights or plunging it into chaos.
“I don’t know how this ends up, but I don’t see either MJ and Curtis (Polk, Jordan’s business partner) or Jim (France, CEO of NASCAR) giving an inch. That’s not what either does. Gonna be fascinating to see what happens next. This could be potentially very good or very bad for the sport,” he remarked.
Interestingly, one owner hinted that, regardless of the lawsuit’s outcome, the teams who signed the deal with NASCAR would emerge as winners. If 23XI and FRM prevail, every team stands to benefit from a more favorable deal. Conversely, if 23XI loses, those who didn’t join the legal battle will have no reason to fear repercussions from NASCAR, as they remained neutral.
“(If) 23XI wins, we’re all going to get a better deal. And if 23XI loses, we’re not out anything nor is NASCAR pissed off at us (for going against them). Either way, we don’t lose.”
This analysis exposes a critical reality: while 23XI and FRM have taken the bold and risky step of challenging NASCAR’s power structure, the majority of teams are sitting comfortably, hoping to benefit regardless of the lawsuit’s outcome. For 23XI and FRM, however, the stakes couldn’t be higher. Their legal action could either solidify their place as the champions of a fairer NASCAR, or it could lead to a colossal loss that might leave them without charters.
The entire NASCAR world is now waiting to see how this legal drama unfolds, with many anticipating that the lawsuit could either revolutionize the sport for the better or set off a chain of events that could destabilize the established order. One thing is clear: this is a defining moment for NASCAR, and the outcome will shape its future.
