In the latest court documents, NASCAR has requested the lawsuit to be dismissed…..
NASCAR has filed a motion to dismiss the antitrust lawsuit initiated by 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports. The teams allege that NASCAR’s practices are monopolistic, particularly concerning the charter system that governs team participation and revenue distribution.
In its motion, NASCAR contends that many of the claims are time-barred, referencing actions such as the acquisition of ARCA in 2018 and the implementation of the Next Gen car in 2020, which fall outside the four-year statute of limitations. Additionally, NASCAR argues that the teams lack antitrust standing regarding the 2025 charter provisions, as they did not sign the agreements and therefore have not suffered antitrust injury.
NASCAR also disputes the teams’ market definition, suggesting it is flawed by focusing on post-investment scenarios rather than pre-investment. Furthermore, NASCAR asserts that it did not refuse to negotiate with the teams but offered contractual terms that were declined, indicating no exclusionary conduct.
The lawsuit, filed in October 2024, accuses NASCAR and its CEO, Jim France, of anticompetitive practices that hinder fair competition within the sport. The teams are seeking a preliminary injunction to participate as charter teams in the 2025 season during the ongoing litigation. NASCAR has opposed this request, labeling the lawsuit as baseless.
As the legal proceedings continue, 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports have until December 16 to respond to NASCAR’s motion to dismiss. The outcome of this case could significantly impact the structure and governance of NASCAR’s team participation and revenue-sharing models.
