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Rick Mast Issues Stark Warning to 23XI and FRM Amid Monopoly Lawsuit Drama

Publisher by Publisher
December 26, 2024
in Motorsports
Reading Time: 4 mins read
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Rick Mast Issues Stark Warning to 23XI and FRM Amid Monopoly Lawsuit Drama

Nov. 2, 1997; Avondale, AZ, USA; NASCAR Winston Cup Series driver Bobby Hamilton (left) talks with Rick Mast prior to the Dura Lube 500 at Phoenix International Raceway. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

The NASCAR community remains divided as the lawsuit filed by 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports (FRM) against the sport’s sanctioning body plays out. Alleging monopolistic practices, the lawsuit challenges NASCAR’s control and aims to secure more financial power and influence for teams. However, Rick Mast, an ex-NASCAR driver from the sport’s golden era, has thrown a cautionary flag on the alliance’s ambitions.

Speaking on Kenny Conversation’s YouTube channel, Mast detailed his concerns about the legal battle and why he sides with NASCAR. While acknowledging the merits of the lawsuit, Mast warns that 23XI and FRM should temper their expectations.


“Don’t Expect Too Much” – Mast’s Cautionary Tale

Mast, a veteran of the NASCAR circuit during its peak years, believes the alliance’s hopes for seismic change in the sport’s structure are misplaced.

“I get all this; I get what 23XI and Front’s trying to do. They’re trying to get more money for the race teams and some of the things, like a little bit more power and more control, and that will never happen, okay.”

Mast explained that while the charter system might not be perfect, it’s a far cry better than the volatile environment teams faced during his era. Without charters, teams risked missing races and losing sponsorships, leading to their collapse. The introduction of the charter system provided stability and even long-term value to team ownership.


The Reality of NASCAR’s Structure

For Mast, the lawsuit’s broader demands—granting teams more influence or control over NASCAR’s operations—are simply unrealistic.

“We didn’t have a net. We lost a lot of sponsorships because teams failed to make races okay. This thing (charters) came along to protect the teams, really protect the sponsors, but protect the teams, and one of the side benefits was that it was supposed to give the team owners some blue-sky value to their teams.”

In Mast’s eyes, the charter system offers protections that teams in his time could only dream of. By ensuring guaranteed grid spots and resale value, the system stabilizes finances for team owners—a luxury he and his contemporaries never enjoyed.


A Shifting NASCAR Landscape

Mast also touched on the current economic realities facing NASCAR. Unlike the heyday of the 1990s and early 2000s, the sport no longer attracts the same level of sponsorship money or fan engagement. This shift puts additional financial strain on teams, but Mast argued that passion, not profits, has always driven NASCAR’s competitive spirit.

“I get it from that perspective, and owners not making profits. You can’t make money doing it; why the hell are you doing it? Well, a lot of people do it because they love it.”


A Call for Adaptation

While Mast’s comments reflect the sentiments of many veteran drivers, critics argue that NASCAR must evolve to survive. The days of guaranteed sponsorship deals and packed grandstands are long gone, and teams are feeling the pinch. As NASCAR consolidates control over car parts and reaps significant revenue from media rights, teams feel left behind in the sport’s financial ecosystem.

For 23XI and FRM, this lawsuit is about securing a fairer slice of the pie. While Mast acknowledges their frustrations, he cautions that the centralized structure of NASCAR may limit how much change they can realistically achieve.


The Road Ahead

Mast’s comments highlight the generational divide within the NASCAR community. For the veterans, the charter system represents progress. For newer teams like 23XI, it’s still not enough to thrive in a changing world.

Ultimately, Mast’s warning to Denny Hamlin, Michael Jordan, and the FRM camp is clear: be prepared for disappointment. NASCAR’s structure, deeply rooted in centralized control, isn’t likely to bend easily—even in the face of legal pressure. As the lawsuit unfolds, the racing world watches to see whether this unprecedented challenge can rewrite the rulebook—or if it will merely reinforce the status quo.

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