Michael Jordan-owned 23XI attempt to save Cup Series status as 'immediate' sale prepared

23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports are making a late attempt to save their Cup Series charters after NASCAR revealed they were putting plans into place 'immediately' that could see them sold.

The two teams and NASCAR have been going back and forth in court since October, when 23XI and FRM decided to sue the stock car racing series, alleging anticompetitive and monopolistic practices.

This lawsuit was filed after the teams refused to sign up to NASCAR's new charter agreement, but crucially, a December court injunction meant that both 23XI and FRM entered the 2025 season with their chartered status in place.

However, that injunction was overturned at appeal last month following a hearing in May, and last week, 23XI and FRM's subsequent appeal for a full rehearing was denied.

This means that the two teams face losing their charters and the tens of millions that come with them as soon as this Wednesday.

READ MORE: Kyle Busch gets NASCAR playoff boost as Hendrick Motorsports star suffers demotion setback

23XI and Front Row Motorsports fight to keep NASCAR charters

Now, however, a new filing has been made by the legal representatives of 23XI and FRM, with the two teams seeking a temporary restraining order and preliminary injunction to remain chartered teams for the remainder of 2025.

As part of this filing, 23XI and FRM have claimed that NASCAR's legal representatives have sent them a letter stating that the series intended to begin the process of selling or unwinding their charters immediately.

A court filing read: "If plaintiffs lose their charter right now, they may never be able to get them back."

"After the Fourth Circuit’s decision vacating the preliminary injunction, NASCAR’s counsel sent a letter to Plaintiffs on June 25, 2025, stating that NASCAR intended to 'immediately undertake a process' to sell or unwind the 23XI and Front Row charters that Plaintiffs purchased from Stewart-Haas Racing."

"Ex. 50, Letter from C. Yates to J. Kessler (June 25, 2025) at 2. NASCAR stated that it is 'aware of interest from multiple prospective buyers for Charters.'"

The 23XI/FRM court filing continued, stating that those potential buyers were also a threat to obtain 23XI and FRM's other charters if they were indeed forced to relinquish them.

This, their legal representatives claim, would put the long-term future of 23XI and FRM at risk, as the teams cannot race as open entries on a long-term basis.

In a statement issued on Monday, Jeffrey Kessler, attorney representing 23XI and FRM said: "Today we filed a motion in the district court for a renewed preliminary injunction and temporary restraining order to protect the teams’ ability to race chartered for the remainder of the 2025 Cup Series season and prevent irreparable business harm to 23XI and Front Row Motorsports until we can present our case at trial in December."

"New information surfaced through the discovery process that overwhelmingly supports our position that a preliminary injunction is legally warranted and necessary. The teams’ love of stock car racing and belief in a better future for the sport for all parties – teams, drivers, employees, sponsors, and fans – continues to motivate their efforts to pursue this antitrust case.”

All of this is a part of the wider ongoing lawsuit, which is set to hit court on December 1.

NASCAR has been given until 5 pm ET on Wednesday to respond to 23XI and FRM's latest court filing.

READ MORE: Denny Hamlin hit with NASCAR penalty as four Cup Series drivers guilty of same offence

Related

NASCAR Cup Series

Denny Hamlin hit with NASCAR penalty as four Cup Series drivers guilty of same offence

• Yesterday 15:24

NASCAR Cup Series Standings

Kyle Busch gets NASCAR playoff boost as Hendrick Motorsports star suffers demotion setback

• Yesterday 14:17