Judge DENIES 23XI, Front Row Injunction | Are NASCAR Races Too Long?

Eric’s latest episode of Out of the Groove dives into hot topics stirring the NASCAR world. First, Judge Bell shuts down 23XI and Front Row’s injunction attempt, meaning they’ll be open teams the rest of 2025. But the ruling wasn’t a total win for NASCAR, as the judge called out their “free charters” claim as misleading. Then, NASCAR is already considering tweaks to the new fastest lap point rule after some odd situations, sparking a debate about whether the sanctioning body is about to overcomplicate something that worked fine. And just when things couldn’t get spicier, Formula 1’s boss says even 90-minute races are too long for young fans, opening the door for Eric to toss in a hot take on NASCAR’s own race lengths.

• Did NASCAR’s promise to hold charters back ultimately sway Judge Bell’s decision?
• Could the judge’s pushback on “free charters” become a key weapon for the teams at trial?
• Should NASCAR really rethink the fastest lap rule, or is this another case of fixing what isn’t broken?
• Is two and a half hours the true sweet spot for Cup races, or would fans push back on cutting tradition?

Between the courtroom battles, rule debates, and a surprising F1 comparison, this episode covers everything from the garage to the grandstands. Eric lays out the stakes while asking whether NASCAR needs to simplify, not complicate. Check out the full breakdown and let us know in the comments where you stand on charters, fastest laps, and race lengths.

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