Racing organization NASCAR has accused teams 23XI and Front Row of fabricating proof in an ongoing investigation.
As of mid-August 2025, the antitrust dispute between 23XI Racing, Front Row Motorsports, and NASCAR remains unresolved and active in federal court. The core issue revolves around NASCAR’s decision to not recognize 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports as charter teams for the 2025 season after they refused to sign the 2025 charter agreement, with the teams subsequently filing a joint antitrust lawsuit alleging NASCAR holds a monopoly violating antitrust laws[1][2].
The teams have been racing as "Open" teams (without guaranteed charter status) since July 20, after a preliminary injunction that had previously protected their charter status was vacated in June[1][4]. NASCAR agreed not to sell or transfer the charters contested in the lawsuit until a ruling after the scheduled hearing on August 28, 2025[2].
NASCAR has accused 23XI Racing and Front Row of submitting false and attorney-scripted testimony, and has demanded sanctions against the teams. However, a federal judge denied NASCAR's motion to sanction the teams, criticizing the motion as distracting and more aimed at influencing public opinion than advancing the case’s legal merits[3].
Central to NASCAR's argument is that one of the attorneys for 23XI and Front Row wrote emails to corroborate the alleged harm the teams would suffer without an injunction. The legal battle between the parties has seen accusations of evidence manipulation, with NASCAR wanting Judge Kenneth D. Bell to strike revisions in Jerry Freeze's testimony, who is the general manager of Front Row[5].
Jeffrey Kessler, the lead attorney for 23XI Racing and Front Row, criticized NASCAR's legal strategy in a statement, calling it a baseless distraction. Kessler accused NASCAR of operating an unlawful monopoly that has harmed not just his clients but all of stock car racing[6]. Michael Jordan, Denny Hamlin, and Curtis Polk co-own 23XI Racing.
In addition, NASCAR claims that it would have been denied the preliminary injunction if not for the evidence manipulation. The injunction ensured the two teams could enjoy the rights and face the obligations of the 2025 charter agreements without having to agree to a mutual release provision[1].
As the August 28 hearing approaches, both parties prepare for the next key date in this ongoing legal battle. NASCAR is requesting that 23XI Racing and Front Row pay for its attorneys' fees associated with the second motion for preliminary injunction and the appeal.
[1] CBS Sports [2] Autoweek [3] USA Today [4] Sportscasting [5] Motorsport [6] ESPN
- The antitrust lawsuit filed by 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports against NASCAR could lead to an analysis of the organization's alleged monopoly in the sports industry, particularly in the field of racing.
- Amidst the ongoing legal dispute between 23XI Racing, Front Row Motorsports, and NASCAR, both parties are set to undergo a critical analysis of the case's legal merits as the hearing on August 28, 2025, approaches.
