CHARLOTTE, N.C. — 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports were granted a preliminary injunction on Wednesday regarding the team’s antitrust lawsuit against NASCAR. The motion will allow both teams to compete under the NASCAR Cup Series charter system.
The ruling follows the two race teams’ joint suit that was filed on Oct. 2.
United States District Judge Kenneth D. Bell stated in the ruling that the duration of the injunction is only for the upcoming (2025) NASCAR Cup Series season.
“Defendants and their agents, servants, employees, attorneys, and all persons in active concert or participation with Defendants, most allow Plaintiffs to each enter two race cars in all NASCAR Cup races under the 2025 Charter Agreement terms applicable to all charter teams, with the exception that the “release” language in Section 10.3 of the 2025 Charter Agreement shall not be enforceable to the extent that it would release or bar Plaintiffs’ claims in this action,” the ruling read.
According to the ruling, Bell stated that NASCAR is “enjoined from refusing to approve Plaintiffs’ purchases” of two Stewart-Haas Racing’s charters, which both 23XI and Front Row will be able to use during the course of the season.
23XI added Riley Herbst to its full-time lineup next season alongside drivers Bubba Wallace and Tyler Reddick. Front Row will move to a three-car organization with Todd Gilliland and Noah Gragson confirmed as two of the drivers.
The ruling continued, stating the “Case Management schedule will be set by the Court which, in the absence of a voluntary resolution of this dispute among the Parties, provides for a trial on Plaintiffs’ claims to be concluded in advance of the beginning of the 2026 NASCAR race season.”