Judge Rules in Favor of Michael Jordan’s NASCAR Team for 2025 Season.
Basketball icon Michael Jordan, along with other stock-car team owners, successfully urged a judge on Wednesday to compel NASCAR to secure essential positions for their drivers in the forthcoming 2025 season.
U.S. District Judge Kenneth Bell, based in Charlotte, North Carolina, granted partial approval to the request from Front Row Motorsports and 23XI Racing, following a previous denial from another judge last month. Notably, 23XI Racing is co-owned by Jordan. The lawsuit, initiated in October against NASCAR and its CEO Jim France, alleges violations of U.S. antitrust laws due to the imposition of restrictive conditions on the teams.
NASCAR had been denying these teams the opportunity to compete as “chartered” members, which would guarantee their participation in the upcoming NASCAR Cup Series races while they pursued their legal claims. This situation would have forced the teams to vie for “open” race slots.
The recent ruling permits 23XI and Front Row Motorsports to race their existing vehicles as chartered teams in the NASCAR Cup Series. The judge noted that the plaintiffs had presented new evidence indicating that uncertainty regarding the 2025 season was disrupting drivers' contractual agreements and impacting the teams’ corporate sponsorships.
Judge Bell remarked that NASCAR fans, as well as potential new fans, have a vested interest in witnessing all teams compete with their top drivers and most competitive vehicles. NASCAR and its legal representatives did not provide an immediate response to requests for comment.
The ruling by Bell is confined to the 2025 racing season, and NASCAR has denied any allegations of misconduct. Attorney Jeffrey Kessler, who represents the plaintiffs, expressed confidence in the robustness of their case and affirmed their commitment to ensuring that racing flourishes as a more competitive and equitable sport. Additionally, Bell's ruling mandates that NASCAR must approve the plaintiff teams' acquisition of a charter from another racing organization, allowing those vehicles to compete as chartered members in 2025.
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Michael Jordan’s NASCAR venture, 23XI Racing, has made waves in the racing world. Co-owned by the basketball icon and driver Denny Hamlin, the team was established in 2020 and quickly gained attention. Jordan's entry into NASCAR marked a significant moment in the sport, bringing a high-profile figure from the world of basketball to the stock car racing scene. 23XI Racing has shown promise, securing competitive performances and building strong partnerships, including with major sponsor, Toyota. Jordan's involvement has helped attract a wider fanbase to NASCAR, blending his legendary sports influence with the thrill of racing.
