NASCAR has filed a countersuit against 23XI Racing—co-owned by Michael Jordan—and Front Row Motorsports, alleging anticompetitive conduct in negotiations over the sport’s charter system. This legal action follows an antitrust lawsuit initiated by the two teams in October 2024, accusing NASCAR and its CEO, Jim France, of monopolistic practices that unfairly limit competition.
The dispute centers on NASCAR’s charter system, which guarantees teams entry into races and a share of television revenue. While 13 teams agreed to extend their charters through 2031, 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports declined, seeking permanent charters instead.
In December 2024, a federal judge granted a preliminary injunction allowing both teams to compete as chartered entries in the 2025 season while the legal proceedings continue. The trial is scheduled for December 2025, unless dismissed earlier.
This legal battle highlights ongoing tensions between NASCAR and certain teams over revenue distribution and the structure of the charter system, with in significant implications for the sport’s future economic model.
