Michael Jordan’s 23XI vs NASCAR: The Complete Timeline
What’s Happening? The 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports lawsuit will continue for some time. However, many developments will occur along…
Following Thursday’s preliminary injunction hearing between 23XI Racing/ Front Row Motorsports and NASCAR, multiple reports revealed vulgar text messages from both parties found in discovery.
This hearing was for a new preliminary injunction to remain as chartered teams for the remainder of the season following a Jun. 5 ruling that stripped the teams’ NASCAR Cup Series entries of Charter status.
The two teams, which sued NASCAR on antitrust grounds in October 2024, are also seeking to limit NASCAR from selling the team’s formerly owned six combined charters before their December court date.
Rumors of what could be discussed during this hearing made Thursday a highly anticipated date in this lawsuit’s many ongoing side-plots, as it was expected that some previously redacted information, as well as info found in discovery, would be on full display for those in attendance.
At the end of the hearing, those in attendance shared some of the most shocking pieces of information revealed so far, including the texts sent by high-ranking officials of NASCAR and 23XI Racing.
These included Michael Jordan calling other teams “pussies” and Joe Gibbs Racing, a strong ally of 23XI, “fuckers” for signing last September’s 2025 NASCAR Charter Agreement.
Another noteworthy message, and perhaps most shocking of all, was one alleged text from then NASCAR COO Steve O’Donnell, (who is now President of NASCAR as of March) in which he described one draft of the 2025 Charter Agreement as “fuck the teams,” and a reversion back to the tight grip the front office had on the sport in the 1990s.*
Following this hearing, 23XI co-owner Denny Hamlin posted jokingly to X, stating that his lawyers advised him not to post today, saying “So this is me not doing that. Hope everyone had a great day!”
*Editor’s Note: Bob Pockrass of FOX Sports clarified in a post on X that O’Donnell was not supporting this version of the charter agreement; rather, these comments were meant to be derogatory of that draft of the 2025 NASCAR Charter Agreement and that the terms in the agreement needed to be better for the teams.
A decision on this injunction is expected within the next week. However, earlier this week, NASCAR had already revealed to the court its intention to “convey” one of the two teams’ charters to an unknown entity. The teams claim that if NASCAR were to sell even one of these charters, they would “face the imminent destruction of their businesses regardless of how the jury rules.”
NASCAR has claimed in the past that there is “substantial interest in Charters from motorsports companies racing in INDYCAR, Xfinity, and other series.” The sport also claims that any teams in and out of NASCAR interested in using a charter to start a new car will need to know by Oct. 1 in order to be adequately prepared for the 2026 season. Though it is unknown what team is buying what charter, it is guaranteed that it will not be those used for FRM’s No. 4 nor 23XI’s No. 35.
These charters were purchased from Stewart-Haas Racing with the Dec. 18 injunction that allowed them charter status, pushing the transaction across the finish line late last year. Due to the nature of their acquisition, with 23XI and FRM not having signed the 2025 Charter Agreement, these Charters are tied up in the lawsuit as well.
NASCAR has stated they would like to “unwind” those transactions, and Thursday’s hearing solidified that should the teams not receive their injunction nor have these returns via ruling or settlement, they will be reimbursed the cost of these charters.
23XI has been denied an injunction, won an injunction, and had that injunction overruled since October 2024. These injunctions have more to do with on-track issues, such as driver and sponsor contracts, than they do with the actual antitrust lawsuit.
This is a developing story; this article will be updated as more information is made available.
The charter saga is just one of many storylines stemming from the two teams’ Oct. 2, 2024, antitrust lawsuit filed against NASCAR. We have extensively covered all aspects of this lawsuit via the timeline linked below.
What’s Happening? The 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports lawsuit will continue for some time. However, many developments will occur along…
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