Shortly after the team of Denny Hamlin and Michael Jordan and Front Row Motorsports (FRM) won a significant legal battle, NASCAR filed an emergency application for a “partial stay” of its actions against 23XI Racing and FRM. Following their respective preliminary injunctions on Wednesday, 23XI and FRM will be able to play as chartered teams in the upcoming season. In response, Hamlin posted “YESSSSSSS!!!!!!!” on X right away.
Then, he shared a gif of Will Smith’s emotional stroll down a street from his 2006 hit movie “The Pursuit of Happyness.” Stewart-Haas Racing closed at the end of the 2024 season, however 23XI and FRM will be able to purchase a charter from them as a result of the verdict.
The two teams were given the injunction and permitted to purchase a charter after NASCAR filed an appeal of the decision. “NASCAR to appeal ruling granting 23XI/FRM the injunction,” writes Bob Pockrass, the NASCAR reporter for FOX Sports, on social media. “An emergency motion for a partial stay of the order while the appeal is underway will be filed. It is unclear exactly what it wants stayed (delayed) pending appeal; NASCAR filed a request to seal the motion portion (a step before filing it). Pockrass clarified NASCAR’s plea by posting:
“NASCAR is requesting that the enforcement of the preliminary injunction be postponed while the appeal is pending, with the exception that NASCAR will ensure that two cars from Front Row and 23XI will enter each 2025 Cup event. They request a postponement of SHR charter transfers and other charter membership perks.
In addition, NASCAR asserts that without a stay, it will sustain “irreparable harm”. The filing stated that “the Court’s decision forcing NASCAR to approve Plaintiffs’ SHC Charter transfers is not a ‘limited’ injunction for the 2025 Cup Series season,” as reported by Racing News.
Rather, it will essentially compel NASCAR to enter into a contractual arrangement with Plaintiffs for a period of seven to fourteen years in relation to these Charters, despite the fact that Plaintiffs have failed to fulfill certain necessary requirements for the assignment of these Charters. Furthermore, once these court-ordered transfers have taken place, they may be tough to reverse.
According to Pockrass, the organization is also seeking a decision on Friday about its request to postpone the injunction’s enforcement because the teams stated they had to finalize the agreement by December 20.
Additionally, NASCAR is requesting the addition of another clause. “NASCAR also is asking, [because] it’s not requesting delay in enforcement of the injunction as far as guaranteeing a spot in every race for two cars from 23XI and FRM, for the teams to post a bond (specific amount redacted) to cover any payouts they might have to return if lose case,” the reporter for NASCAR stated.
The outcome of the judge’s decision regarding NASCAR’s stay request is still pending. However, for Jordan and Hamlin, the injunction permits 23XI to keep 2024 regular season winner and NASCAR star Tyler Reddick.
The 28-year-old would have been allowed to sign with any team that wanted to give him a chartered car if the court had not issued the preliminary injunction by December 18.
This comes after the preliminary injunction was granted by U.S. District Judge Kenneth D. Bell, who cited the “significant harm” that 23XI and FRM would experience if the teams were unable to race. Nevertheless, chartered teams are barred from suing NASCAR by the “release” provision.
