Denny Hamlin explains why 23XI have filed for restraining order against NASCAR

Cup Series star Denny Hamlin has explained why 23XI Racing have filed for a restraining order against NASCAR.

Hamlin is a co-owner of 23XI, who face losing their Cup Series charters as soon as this week after their injunction to race as a chartered team in 2025 was overturned at appeal last month.

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23XI and Front Row Motorsports sought a rehearing on the matter, but with that denied, on Monday, the teams made another attempt to save their charters, filing for a restraining order against NASCAR, and a temporary injunction that would allow them to race as chartered teams for the rest of the year.

23XI and FRM both have three charters each, which guarantee them entry into every single Cup Series race, as well as a portion of the prize fund from each event, but they could lose them ahead of this weekend's action at Dover if they did nothing.

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

Why have 23XI filed for a restraining order against NASCAR?

Now, speaking on his Actions Detrimental podcast, Hamlin revealed why 23XI had taken this measure in their ongoing legal battle with the stock car racing series.

"We obviously filed a new, preliminary injunction," Hamlin explained. "And we also filed a restraining order against NASCAR.

"The basis for the two are through discovery we have revealed...and so much of this is redacted...discovery has revealed a series of monopolistic acts that have occurred, and so we believe that the status quo of us having our charters should not be disturbed until this is resolved on December 1st in the courtroom."

Hamlin continued: "The reason being, and to kind of explain the restraining order, we're seeking for them not to be able to take and sell our charters. If we prevail in December, how do you go get that back? You can't."

Hamlin finished: "Yeah, [the team will lose their charters this week] that is correct, pending the results of this preliminary injunction.

"Obviously, the judge will see the evidence, all the stuff that is redacted that you and I can't see, he's able to, and he'll make a decision, hopefully by the end of this week on that."

NASCAR did not take kindly to the latest 23XI and FRM filing, with the series hitting out at the teams in an official statement.

"It is unfortunate that instead of respecting the clear rulings of the Fourth Circuit, 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports are now burdening the District Court with a third motion for another unnecessary and inappropriate preliminary injunction," NASCAR said.

"As both the Fourth Circuit and the District Court suggested, NASCAR has made multiple requests to 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports to present a proposal to resolve this litigation. We have yet to receive a proposal from 23XI or Front Row, as they have instead preferred to continue their damaging and distracting lawsuit.

"We will defend NASCAR's integrity from this baseless lawsuit forced upon the sport that threatens to divide the stakeholders committed to serving race fans everywhere.

"We remain focused on collaborating with the 13 race teams that signed the 2025 charter agreements and share our mutual goal of delivering the best racing in the world each week, including this weekend in Dover."

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