23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports Set for Court Hearing on Charter Status
23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports are poised to argue for a preliminary injunction to compete as charter teams in the NASCAR Cup Series. This hearing is scheduled for August 28 at the U.S. District Court, presided over by Judge Kenneth Bell.
Both teams are currently operating as open teams after a three-judge panel vacated their previous injunction in June. A new request for a preliminary injunction was submitted on July 14, along with a temporary restraining order that was denied last week. This restraining order aimed to prevent NASCAR from revoking and selling the charters that the plaintiffs are contesting.
In response to the pending court proceedings, Judge Bell indicated that NASCAR would not transfer or sell the six charters in question until a ruling is made on the preliminary injunction. He also assured that the six race cars will qualify for all Cup Series events should the teams choose to participate while the case is under review.
Further, NASCAR amended its Rule Book to facilitate race entry for 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports, allowing open teams to qualify based on their rankings in the owner standings. This change ensures that both organizations can maintain competitive standing after successfully qualifying at Dover Motor Speedway, where they faced 37 entries.
The court hearing will take place just two days prior to the regular season finale at Darlington Raceway. In the interim, the teams will compete in six races, accumulating one-third of the prize money allocated to charter teams.
