What to know about NASCAR antitrust lawsuit: NASCAR files appeal

In hopes of trying to increase the revenues and influence of NASCAR Cup Series teams, 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports filed a lawsuit against NASCAR and Chairman Jim France.

The teams filed the lawsuit Oct. 2 in federal court in Charlotte, claiming NASCAR's actions violate antitrust laws.

This story will be updated with the latest developments and analysis in the case. Information comes from documents filed in the case and through conversations with those knowledgeable on antitrust issues and NASCAR racing.

What is the latest happeninsg in the suit?

Feb. 12 update: 

NASCAR filed its appeal brief to the injunction that allows 23XI and Front Row to operate as charter teams while suing NASCAR for antitrust violations.

NASCAR’s main argument is that the teams won't likely succeed on the merits of the case in that they have other racing options if they don’t like the terms of the NASCAR charter agreement – that NASCAR Cup Series racing can't be the defined "market" when it comes to antitrust issues.

The sanctioning body also reiterates that 13 of the 15 organizations signed the charter agreement that runs from 2025-31 (with a possible extension), an agreement that includes teams now getting approximately 50 percent of the media revenues, an increase from about 37 percent from the previous deal – which shows that they do have an economically viable business model.

NASCAR also was critical of U.S. District court judge Kenneth Bell's ruling that the clause in the charter agreement that releases NASCAR from legal claims violates antitrust law.

"These injunctions misuse the judicial power to force NASCAR to treat its litigation adversaries as its business partners and confidants, undermining the mutual trust that has