The two teams suing NASCAR over an antitrust complaint said Saturday that they will compete in 2025 as «open teams» after the sanctioning body removed anticompetitive release claims that will allow them to race while the legal process continues.
23XI Racing, the team owned by NBA Hall of Famer Michael Jordan and three-time Daytona 500 winner Denny Hamlin, and Front Row Motorsports refused in September to sign take-it-or-leave-it revenue sharing offers made by NASCAR just 48 hours before the start of the playoffs.
The teams have filed an antitrust suit accusing NASCAR of being «monopolistic bullies.» They were denied in federal court last week a request to be recognized as «chartered» teams as the suit continues. A charter is essentially a franchise and guarantees prize money, a spot in the field each week and other protections.
Both teams insisted they would compete as open teams, which would require them to show up each week and qualify their cars for every race. Open teams also do not receive the same benefits as chartered teams, including a fair cut from the financial purses.
After losing the injunction, which both teams are appealing, Hamlin said it was «TBD» whether 23XI would be at the season-opening Daytona 500 in February as an open team.
23XI's Tyler Reddick had a chance at the NACAR Cup Series championship Sunday at Phoenix Raceway, finishing sixth overall and fourth of the four drivers eligible for the title.
The options for 23XI and Front Row, which is owned by entrepreneur Bob Jenkins, were to either not race or risk a judge dismissing the lawsuit outright because of the claim teams can't sue the sanctioning body.
The language that prohibited NASCAR from being sued was removed in documents delivered to teams
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