Wallace
Bubba Wallace. (Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)
NASCAR Cup Series

NASCAR’s Partial Stay Denied In Preliminary Injunction

December 23, 2024

NASCAR’s motion for a partial stay in the preliminary injunction involving 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports was denied on Monday afternoon.

With the denial of the motion by U.S. District Judge Kenneth D. Bell, NASCAR is ordered to immediately approve the sale of a Stewart-Haas Racing charter to Front Row Motorsports.  

While 23XI attempted to purchase a charter from SHR, the deal did not go through yet as it was not in the original filing of the lawsuit. 23XI will have to make a sale request and have it considered in court separately.

Bell granted the team’s a preliminary injunction last week regarding their antitrust lawsuit against NASCAR, which allows 23XI and Front Row to operate under the charter agreement in 2025. NASCAR immediately filed an emergency motion in an attempt to argue that granting the injunction would harm the sport.

The two race teams’ filed a joint lawsuit on Oct. 2.

The team’s attorney, Jeffrey Kessler, released a statement. 

“We welcome today’s decision by Judge Bell to deny NASCAR’s motion to stay, which will allow 23XI and Front Row Motorsports to compete as chartered teams in the 2025 season and enable Front Row Motorsports to complete their purchase of a third charter from Stewart-Haas Racing,” the statement read. 

“Today’s decision represents an important step in advancing my clients’ case against NASCAR and their monopolistic practices, while protecting their drivers, race teams, sponsors and the fan experience. 

“We are confident in the strength of our competitive and fair sport for everyone involved in the coming year.”  Â