As the year-end comes closer, the battle between NASCAR and Michael Jordan’s 23XI Racing will only intensify. The primary objective for Jordan and his team is to get their chartered status before the end of the year. Meanwhile, NASCAR hopes the injunction appeal goes in their favor, forcing both 23XI Racing and FRM to the field and open teams in 2025.
And this is where Michael Jordan and Denny Hamlin made their first move as they re-filed for the preliminary injunction, with the hopes of the hearing being expedited. “23XI and FRM have re-filed their motion for a preliminary injunction. The “new circumstances” section is mostly redacted. They indicate they have three weeks to decide whether to close on the SHR charter purchase, and certain sponsors want assurances on sponsoring a chartered car.” Bob Pockrass from FOX Sports shared this update on X.
However, NASCAR is trying it’s hard to delay the hearing as long as they can. Initially, the teams wanted the hearing on December 10, while NASCAR argued to be pushed to the 11th. But the dates have been pushed further with NASCAR playing hardball, and they’ve now accused 23XI and FRM of orchestrating the urgency in proving irreparable harm with their two SHR charters. Teams will need to sign sponsorship deals, lock in drivers, and prepare for the next year, and they can’t assure their partners anything without the injunction.
The irony in this case is that NASCAR used similar tactics in strong-arming teams to sign the charter deal before the playoffs started, asexplained. NASCAR even threatened the teams into sign the new deal with a take-it-or-leave-it proposal, and the fear of losing out on charter was enough to get 13 team owners to fall in line. Whilandstood their ground and are now challenging NASCAR in the court.