NASCAR Insiders Reveal 23XI Racing and FRM’s ‘Concern’ in Charter Debate
NASCAR’s new contract has caused tension between the main teams 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports. In an episode of “The Teardown” podcast, The Athletic’s Jordan Bianchi and Jeff Gluck broke down the ongoing drama.
The argument turns to the two teams that did not sign new contracts, and the reason why they did not like the terms that they called bad and that were not negotiated in truth.
Both 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports have raised serious concerns about the new terms issued by NASCAR.
In fact, 23XI Racing felt that the negotiations were not honest and fair, and decided not to sign the contract. Row Row Motorsports echoed those sentiments. Bianchi said both teams misunderstood NASCAR’s negotiating procedures. Bianchi said:
They didn’t like the working conditions, that’s all. They felt NASCAR and 23XI were heavier than Front Row Motorsports. Though, Front Row Motorsports does share a lot of the sentiment expressed by 23XI in their statement.
“There’s a lot of frustration that NASCAR is kind of fell back in their historic ways of being heavy-handed, you know, our way of the highway, this is how we’re doing things.
There was no negotiating in good faith is probably the best way to describe it.”
Gluck, providing further context from Curtis Polk, who manages business affairs for Michael Jordan (co-owner of 23XI Racing), compared the negotiations to “David facing Goliath.”
In Polk’s opinion, the process was unfair and signified a regression from the current system. Polk asserted that despite the teams expecting more revenue from TV deals, they did not secure all the goals they aimed for in the negotiations. Gluck remarked:
He even described it as a step backward from the current charter system. We know they’re going to be getting more from the TV revenue, but they also did not get everything they wanted and the other things they were asking for.”
The official statement from 23XI Racing further clarified its stance:
“23XI decided to not meet a NASCAR-imposed deadline last night to sign charter agreements for its two cars for 2025-2031. 23XI’s position, as stated in a letter to NASCAR, is that we did not have an opportunity to fairly bargain for a new charter contract.
“We notified NASCAR what issues needed to be addressed, in writing, at the deadline. We are interested in engaging in constructive discussions with NASCAR to address these issues and move forward in a way that comes to a fair resolution while strengthening the sport we all love.
“At 23XI Racing, we remain committed to competing at the highest level while also standing firm in our belief that NASCAR should be governed by fair and equitable practices.”
