NASCAR Teams Sue Over Charter System

23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports have filed an antitrust lawsuit against NASCAR, alleging monopolistic practices related to their charter system, which they claim unfairly limits competition. The teams are seeking a preliminary injunction to allow them to compete under the charter model for the 2025 season despite not signing the new agreement, as they were the only two teams out of 15 to refuse. They argue that NASCAR's charter system, which is akin to a franchise model in sports, imposes restrictive terms that can be revoked and are binding, thus preventing fair competition. The lawsuit, led by prominent antitrust attorney Jeffrey Kessler, may significantly impact NASCAR's structure and its economic implications for teams. A hearing for their injunction request is set for October 16, where they will also push for access to internal documents from NASCAR executives to strengthen their case. Without the injunction, both teams risk substantial financial losses, potentially missing out on lucrative races like the Daytona 500.