NASCAR News: How 23XI and Front Row Delivered a Windfall for Everyone Else
In the high-stakes world of NASCAR Cup Series racing, where billions in revenue swirl around media deals, sponsorships, and the all-important charters that guarantee a team’s spot in every race, most owners play it safe. They sign on the dotted line, grumble privately, and keep the peace with the France family empire. But in late 2024, two teams decided enough was enough.
–by Mark Cipolloni–
23XI Racing—co-owned by NBA legend Michael Jordan and driver Denny Hamlin—and Front Row Motorsports (FRM), led by Bob Jenkins, refused to sign NASCAR’s “take-it-or-leave-it” charter extension for 2025-2031. While 13 other teams reluctantly inked the deal, fearing the loss of their valuable franchises, 23XI and Front Row filed a bombshell antitrust lawsuit, accusing NASCAR of monopolistic practices that stifled team growth and funneled too much profit to the sanctioning body.
It was a gutsy move. They raced much of 2025 as “open” teams, forfeiting millions in guaranteed revenue. The trial in Charlotte dragged on for weeks, exposing embarrassing texts, tough negotiations, and the raw power dynamics of the sport. Many in the garage whispered that the rebels were risking it all—for what?
Then, on December 11, 2025, everything changed. Midway through the trial, a settlement was announced. NASCAR blinked.
The deal handed all 15 chartered teams “evergreen” charters—essentially permanent franchises that don’t expire, making them true assets like NFL or NBA teams. Overnight, industry experts estimated charter values could double, from recent sales around $45 million to potentially $90-100 million each. Teams gained shares of international media rights (previously zero for them), a cut of new intellectual property deals, reinstated governance input via an expanded “strike” rule, and more.
The other 13 teams? They got all these upgrades without spending a dime on lawyers, without missing a single purse payout, and without ever sticking their necks out during negotiations.
Although none of the other team owners said, they all had to be thinking, ‘We signed because we felt we had no choice. Those two fought the fight we were all too scared to wage—and now we’re all richer for it.’
The irony wasn’t lost on anyone. The teams that played it safe, signing the original deal under duress, now reap the biggest rewards thanks to the ones who had the balls to sue.
Denny Hamlin captured the resolve behind the fight: “Standing up isn’t easy, but progress never comes from staying silent. The reward is in knowing you changed something.”
Michael Jordan emphasized the broader impact: “From the beginning, this lawsuit was about progress. It was about making sure our sport evolves in a way that supports everyone: teams, drivers, partners, employees, and fans.”
Hamlin added that the outcome is “going to grow the sport, and it’s going to be better for everyone, there’s no doubt about it.”
Other team owners welcomed the resolution. Rick Hendrick stated: “Today’s resolution allows all of us to focus on what truly matters—the future of our sport. When our industry is united, there’s no limit to how far we can go or how much we can grow the sport we love.”
Roger Penske called it “tremendous news for the industry.”
As ESPN’s Ryan McGee noted, every team once stood united with 23XI and Front Row during negotiations but eventually lacked the balls and signed—leaving the two to carry the fight alone. “They won that fight, and as a result, so did every NASCAR team owner who is fortunate enough to have one of those 36 charters.”
Former NASCAR driver and now pudit, Kenny Wallace, predicted what the settlement by NASCAR could imply for the teams and why it could be game-changing.
Shortly after the announcement, Wallace spoke to the camera, where the 62-year-old shared his thoughts and seemed rather pleased with the turn of events.
Wallace believed 23XI Racing and FRM had gotten what they sought and hence decided to settle. He also presumed that the settlement would translate to more TV revenue and evergreen charters for the teams.
According to Wallace, NASCAR’s leaked letters and the overall fan sentiment prompted the governing body to pursue the settlement route further. He also pointed out that NASCAR bosses’ unwillingness to answer tough questions only weakened the governing body’s case.
For their efforts and fortitude, NASCAR will pay 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports an unknown amount of monetary damages and legal fees.
With permanent charters now in place, the entire Cup Series field reaps enhanced stability and value, courtesy of the two teams that refused to back down. The garage moves forward united, poised for growth in 2026 and beyond.