23XI and Front Row Motorsports Face Risk of Missing Races Amid NASCAR Legal Battle

23XI and Front Row Motorsports Face Risk of Missing Races Amid NASCAR Legal Battle

In a legal battle that could have a substantial effect on the future of NASCAR racing, 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports find themselves embroiled in an antitrust lawsuit against NASCAR, risking their ability to participate in upcoming races. Both teams are challenging what they describe as monopolization practices by the sport, claiming these methods serve to benefit the founding France family while disadvantaging the teams. The lawsuit hinges on accusations that NASCAR has engaged in “the unlawful monopolization of premier stock car racing by the France family in order to enrich themselves at the expense of the premier stock car racing teams,” via PlanetF1. Allegations include a range of anti-competitive practices, such as exerting control over racetracks and mandating exclusivity deals, which limit teams’ ability to race elsewhere

 

The teams are seeking to use the antitrust discovery process to examine NASCAR’s operations over the last nine years, requesting access to records within five business days-a move NASCAR calls an attempt “to use the antitrust discovery process as a weapon.”

NASCAR has responded to the lawsuit by firmly denying the validity of these claims, labeling the suit “meritless” and accusing the teams of attempting to renegotiate terms they had previously declined. According to NASCAR, the lawsuit is seen as a tactic to “obtain commercial agreements they previously rejected, and to attempt to extort more favorable contract terms.”