NASCAR Cup Series driver Denny Hamlin (11) waves to fans before a NASCAR Cup Series auto race at Darlington Raceway, Sunday, April 6, 2025, in Darlington, S.C. (AP Photo/Scott Kinser)
NASCAR Cup Series driver Denny Hamlin (11) waves to fans before a NASCAR Cup Series auto race at Darlington Raceway, Sunday, April 6, 2025, in Darlington, S.C. (AP Photo/Scott Kinser)
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) 鈥 The two teams suing NASCAR asked a judge to dismiss the sanctioning body’s counterclaim in court Wednesday.
In a 20-page filing in district court in North Carolina, 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports opposed NASCAR’s motion to amend its original counterclaim. The teams argued that the need to amend the counterclaim further demonstrates the weakness of NASCAR鈥檚 arguments, calling them an attempt by NASCAR to distract and shift attention away from its own unlawful, monopolistic actions.
NASCAR’s counterclaim singled out Michael Jordan’s longtime business manager, Curtis Polk. Jordan is co-owner of 23XI Racing.
ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW
The legal battle began after more than two years of negotiations on new charter agreements 鈥 NASCAR鈥檚 equivalent of a franchise model 鈥 and the 30-page filing contends that Polk 鈥渨illfully鈥 violated antitrust laws by orchestrating anticompetitive collective conduct in connection with the most recent charter agreements.
were the only two organizations out of 15 that refused to sign the new agreements, which were presented to the teams last September in a take-it-or-leave-it offer a mere 48 hours before the start of NASCAR鈥檚 playoffs.
The charters were fought for by the teams ahead of the 2016 season and twice have been extended. The latest extension is for seven years to match the current media rights deal and guarantee 36 of the 40 spots in each week鈥檚 field to the teams that hold the charters, as well as other financial incentives. 23XI and Front Row refused to sign and sued,
NASCAR already has lost one round in court in which the two teams have been for the 2025 season as the NASCAR has also .
To join the conversation set a first and last name in your user profile.
Sign in or register for free to join the Conversation