23XI and FRM Win Major Victory Over NASCAR: Can Race as Chartered Teams in 2025

HOMESTEAD, FLORIDA - OCTOBER 27: Michael Jordan, NBA Hall of Famer and co-owner of 23XI Racing and Tyler Reddick, driver of the #45 The Beast Killer Sunrise Toyota, celebrate after winning the NASCAR Cup Series Straight Talk Wireless 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway on October 27, 2024 in Homestead, Florida. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)

What’s Happening?

Following a re-filing of their Preliminary Injunction, a North Carolina Judge has ruled that 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports will race as Chartered teams in 2025. Furthermore, the two teams will be able to acquire their two new Charters from Stewart-Haas Racing.

Update:
A deeper look into the ruling confirmed that Truck Series standout Corey Heim has a contract with 23XI Racing. However, the details of this are unknown.

Furthermore, the filing revealed that Bubba Wallace, Corey Heim, Noah Gragson, and Tyler Reddick reached out to their teams about free agency should they not have Charters. Reddick informed the team following the Nov. 8 ruling that they “breached his Driver and Personal Services Agreement.”

The Ruling

When 23XI and FRM filed their initial Oct. 2 antitrust lawsuit against NASCAR, the two parties announced a plan to motion for a Preliminary Injunction. This Preliminary Injunction would allow the teams to compete as Chartered teams throughout the lawsuit with NASCAR.

The teams were the only two not to sign the 2025 NASCAR Charter Agreement and risked losing their Charters by not signing and suing NASCAR. This is due to a release provision in the agreement releasing NASCAR from antitrust claims from its teams.

Furthermore, the two teams were fighting for two new Charters, which they agreed to purchase from Stewart-Haas Racing. NASCAR had not approved the transfer of these Charters to the teams prior to the lawsuit. With this new ruling, the two teams will get their new Charters and the financial benefits of those Charters.

NASCAR can appeal this ruling; however, at press time, it is unclear if or when they will do so.

Background

On Nov. 8, the teams were denied this injunction due to a failure to show irreparable harm. They planned to appeal this. However, they opted to re-file on Nov. 27 with new evidence sealed to the public.

Some of that evidence was a statement from former SHR president Joe Custer, who claimed in an affidavit that NASCAR not transferring the Charters would irreparably harm what remains of SHR. Custer, 23XI, and FRM also claimed in that Dec. 12 filing that NASCAR had told them in the past the transfers would go through prior to the suit.

Wednesday’s ruling also revealed that if the teams had not had a charter, Tyler Reddick would have been a free agent. Whether he would have left the team is unknown, as they have their injunction. This ruling is by far the most important part of this lawsuit, as it legitimizes the team’s overall antitrust lawsuit.

We have covered this lawsuit extensively via the timeline linked above. This is a developing story and will be updated as new information is available.

What do you think about this? Let us know your opinions on Discord or X, and don’t forget that you can also follow us on InstagramFacebook, and YouTube.

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What Fans Think of NASCAR’s TV Coverage in 2026 (So Far)

What’s Happening?

As the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series season gets underway, The Daily Downforce is once again tracking how fans feel about race broadcasts throughout the year, just as we did last year. This ratings tracker exists to capture fan feedback in a clear, consistent way across the entire season for each TV partner.

How the Tracker Works

After each Cup Series race weekend, we will post a fan poll asking one simple question: “How would you rate this weekend’s Cup Series broadcast?” And fans can vote and comment based on their overall viewing experience. This article will be updated weekly with the most recent race’s numbers added to the tracker.

Where and How to Vote

  • The poll is posted on X (formerly Twitter) shortly after each race.
  • Fans can vote directly in the poll with just one tap.
  • Replies and quote posts are also monitored to gather more detailed feedback for a separate article after the season is concluded

Participation is quick and open to everyone.

Tracker

WeekNetworkRaceVotesGood | Average | BadSource
1FOXBowman Gray Clash36816% | 43% | 42%Check the Poll HERE
2FOXDaytona 50098942% | 46% | 12%Check the Poll HERE

Latest Poll Results

Remember to follow The Daily Downforce on X to catch each weekly poll, share your thoughts, and be part of the conversation.

NASCAR Coming to The Crew Motorfest in New Free Update

What’s Happening?

A new trailer revealed that NASCAR will be a part of The Crew Motorfest’s upcoming free season 9 update.

  • Ubisoft released a new trailer for The Crew Motorfest’s upcoming Island update, including a brief look at NASCAR racing as part of the new content
  • The NASCAR cars appear at the 1:08 minute mark of the trailer
  • The trailer shows officially licensed NASCAR Next Gen cars racing on an unidentified oval track
  • There are limited details on licenses, teams, drivers, tracks or gameplay mechanics, but the trailer shows the cars of Joey Logano, Kyle Busch, Kyle Larson, William Byron, Shane van Gisbergen, Brad Keselowski, Ross Chastain, and Ryan Blaney, all with official paint schemes and sponsors reminiscent of the 2025 season, confirming that the content present will be fully licensed by NASCAR
  • The collaboration is expected to feature a full playlist focused on oval racing disciplines such as drafting and pit strategy
  • Outside of the NASCAR content, Season 9 is likely to introduce a feature for building and sharing of custom tracks, as well as a new RC car playlist featuring miniature-scale racing

Will you be playing The Crew for this new update? Let us know your opinion on Discord or X. Don’t forget that you can also follow us on InstagramFacebook, and YouTube.

Kyle Busch’s Controversial Last Lap Move | Hamlin Defends Herbst | NASCAR Power Rankings!

Denny Hamlin defends Riley Herbst, Brad Keselowski is furious, and Kyle Busch leaves everyone debating what it means to truly compete for a Daytona 500. The final lap at Daytona International Speedway sparked multiple completely different controversies that say a lot about modern superspeedway racing.

  • Was Riley Herbst’s late block just another split-second Daytona gamble, or did he truly cost Keselowski a legitimate shot at the win?
  • Is Denny Hamlin right to defend his driver publicly, even while admitting the wreck was on Herbst?
  • Did Kyle Busch make a savvy veteran points play by bailing out of the draft on the white flag?
  • Does backing out of the lead pack signal frustration, maybe even a bigger-picture mindset shift?

At superspeedways, instinct rules everything. Herbst reacted late, Keselowski paid the price, and Hamlin backed his guy. Meanwhile, Busch lifted from 25th, avoided the wreck, and gained ten spots, a move that looks smart in hindsight but could have backfired badly. In a new points-heavy format, are drivers thinking differently? We break down both moments, what they really mean, and whether everyone involved might actually have a point. Plus, early Cup Series power rankings to wrap it up.

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