23XI, Front Row Antitrust Case Against NASCAR Heads to Dec. 1 Jury Trial After Judge’s Rebuke

Overview

• The case will be tried by a jury in Charlotte, North Carolina, on December 1.
• A federal judge denied a preliminary injunction, leaving both teams to race as open entries without guaranteed spots or revenue, and NASCAR agreed not to reassign the disputed charters during the case.
• The court dismissed NASCAR’s counterclaim alleging collusion by 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports.
• Judge Kenneth D. Bell criticized NASCAR’s inconsistent marketplace positions, remarking, “heads we win, tails you lose.”
• Insiders caution that a plaintiff win could trigger sweeping remedies such as rewriting or voiding the charter system, while a veteran reporter says a late settlement remains possible before trial.