NASCAR Rule Change Provides Relief for 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports
NASCAR has implemented a critical modification to its entry regulations that directly impacts Open teams, specifically benefitting 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports amid ongoing discussions of charter recognition. The new rule states that when the entry limit is set to 40 cars, Open Teams will be selected based on Team Owner Point standings.
According to the revised Entry Requirements section in the NASCAR Rule Book, “NASCAR, at its sole discretion, may elect to limit the number of entries for a race to 40. In such instances, Open Teams will be determined based on the Team Owner Point standings.” This adjustment ensures that up to six Open Teams can secure positions on the starting grid, improving their chances of participation.
The change arrives as both 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports seek a preliminary injunction to achieve charter team status, arguing that exclusion from races harms their organizations. These teams ran as Open entries at Dover Motor Speedway without the threat of missing the field, as the total entries were limited to 37.
Looking ahead, 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports plan to compete as Open teams at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, with no expectation of exceeding 40 entries. Notably, this season has seen two races—Daytona 500 and Chicago—where the number of entrants surpassed 40.
This strategic regulation revision marks a significant step for NASCAR as it navigates the complexities of team inclusion and performance equity in the Cup Series.
