When presented with a new charter agreement for the 2025 racing season and beyond, NASCAR Ford team Front Row Motorsports (FRM) and Toyota outfit 23XI Racing refused to sign it. They dug their heels in even further by filing an antitrust lawsuit against NASCAR itself, jeopardizing their ability to compete in the Cup Series. There’s good news for fans of FRM and 23XI, though, as the sanctioning body recently removed a clause that would have otherwise prevented them from racing in 2025.
According to a report from the Associated Press, NASCAR killed anticompetitive release claims that would have kept FRM and 23XI off the grid while engaged in an active lawsuit against the sanctioning body. That means that FRM and 23XI can compete in 2025, but they will do so without guaranteed charters and will race as “open” teams. In other words, while both organizations will have the opportunity to qualify for each race, they won’t have a guaranteed spot on the grid, which would have been secured by signing the charter agreement.
Even though that’s the case, and fans can expect to see the NASCAR Ford Mustang Dark Horse racers of FRM and the Toyota TRD Camry entries of 23XI, the teams are still in the thick of the fight and hold out hope that they will be able to take advantage of the sport’s charter system.
“My clients will continue their appeal to the 4th Circuit to issue an injunction so they can run as chartered teams therefore avoiding irreparable harm,” said Jeffrey Kessler, the attorney handling the case for FRM and 23XI. “Both race teams are pleased that they will continue to be a participant in this sport that they love while fighting to make it fair and just for all.”
Both teams rounded out the 2024 season with two chartered entries and purchase agreements with former NASCAR Ford team, Stewart-Haas Racing for a third entry each. FRM recently announced that it will continue its relationship with Todd Gilliland, who will drive the No. 34 Mustang in 2025.
Comment
Both Front Row and 23XI will suffer financially from this lawsuit. Their legal costs will be very high and as they don’t have charters they will get paid less prize money. In the end NASCAR will prevail. Wait for it.