NASCAR Silly Season was shaken up last week when 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports sued NASCAR on antitrust grounds. In the following lawsuit released to the public, we learned a bit more about 23XI’s future plans.
The rumors about 23XI’s expansion came from all ends. However, it went up in the air even more in early September when 23XI and FRM held out on signing the 2025 NASCAR Charter Agreement. This decision left many wondering if 23XI would want to invest in a third charter.
Despite this, rumors persevered until the two parties sued NASCAR on Oct. 2. At first, most assumed this was the end of 23XI’s planned expansion, that was until they actually read the lawsuit.
“23XI is currently in the process of acquiring a third charter. 23XI and StewartHaas Racing, LLC entered into a purchase agreement on August 7, 2024, but the transaction is still in escrow and requires approval from NASCAR. In the interim, Stewart-Haas Racing, LLC signed NASCAR’s 2025 Charter Agreement.”
23XI agreed to buy the final charter prior to the signing of the new Charter Agreement. With 23XI agreeing to buy the final charter, the only obstacle to completion is NASCAR’s approval. Not only has NASCAR not signed off on the sale for 23XI, but for FRM’s purchase earlier this season.
An injunction filed by the two parties, if approved, would allow 23XI/FRM to race in 2025 under the new agreement. However, it is unclear whether or not that would include the finalization of the sale for the team. In the event it does, that would create a dead heat to fill that seat at 23XI.
@brakehard WHO GETS THE REMAINING SEATS IN NASCAR CUP SERIES SILLY SEASON? #nascar #racing #motorsport ♬ original sound – brakehard
There is a short list of available drivers for the third car at 23XI, both in and out of the Toyota camp. If the team goes with a TRD driver, it could be better competition-wise; if they go outside TRD, it could be better financially.
First is Corey Heim. Heim is the story of the Craftsman Truck Series these past two seasons. In 2023, Heim won three races and finished third in points. So far this season, Heim has had six wins with Tricon Garage.
However, he can’t seem to get a break with Toyota, as the rumored drama between Heim and Ty Gibbs, dating back to ARCA, might be keeping Heim out of top Toyota rides. 23XI has already stepped up and fielded Heim at Nashville in an unchartered entry.
What’s Happening? It was an awkward weekend for the Toyota camp at Atlanta Motor Speedway. Saturday was the main story for…
As good of a story as Heim and 23XI would be, he is not the front-runner.
SHR Xfinity Series driver Riley Herbst holds that title. Many sources point to Herbst as the likely driver of the third car. Herbst is a winning and consistent driver in the Xfinity Series. However, his ties to 23XI mostly stem from his sponsorship from Monster Energy and Terrible Herbst, his family gas station company.
Brakehard, via TikTok, reported that Herbst’s family might have helped with the purchase of that third Charter. Should that purchase go through, many expect to see Herbst in a Toyota in 2025.
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