23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports have been granted a preliminary injunction for the 2025 NASCAR season as well as the approval to purchase charters from Stewart-Haas Racing.
The preliminary injunction will be for the 2025 season, which will allow the two teams to compete as charter teams with all terms applicable to the charter agreement. The exception is the release clause in the charter agreement, which will not be enforced.
23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports are still pursuing their antitrust case against NASCAR.
[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1428]
U.S. District Court Judge Kenneth D. Bell issued the ruling on Wednesday.
In his ruling, Bell also said NASCAR is prohibited from blocking 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports from purchasing a charter from Stewart-Haas Racing. Both teams are expanding to a third full-time car next year.
NASCAR, however, approves all sales, however because of the ruling, it is not allowed to deny the sale of the charters.
23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsport had its initial request for a preliminary injunction denied in November by U.S. District Judge Frank D Whitney. Initially, the teams filed an appeal. However, the appeal was dropped and the request for a preliminary injunction refiled in late November.
A new judge, Bell, was assigned the case. He made his ruling without holding a hearing.
23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports were given the opportunity to file a renewed motion for a preliminary injunction if circumstances changed. In its filing, 23XI Racing said Tyler Reddick informed the team it had breached his Driver and Personal Services Agreement because they are required to have a chartered car for him to compete, and they had 30 days to cure the breach. If not, as of December 18, Reddick would no longer be contractually bound to the team.
Additionally, 23XI Racing said Riley Herbst has a similar contract. Front Row Motorsports asserted the same for Noah Gragson.
“Other drivers have expressed similarly urgent concerns,” the ruling said. “Driver Bubba Wallace informed 23XI that he needs to know how it intends to compete ‘immediately’ so that he can explore seats with other teams… Corey Heim also wrote that he needs answers ‘right away’ so that he can ‘speak with other Cup race teams to see if any other opportunities would exist.’”
The same issue was alleged as it pertained to sponsors. Monster Energy and Love’s Travel Stops both expressed concerns about fulfilling obligations for the 2025 season.
In his determination Bell wrote, “In sum, Plaintiffs have shown the likelihood of irreparable harm sufficient to support a preliminary injunction.”