In the latest filing in the NASCAR lawsuit, the sanctioning body has told the court it intends to sell a charter to an undisclosed team. This comes amid the lawsuit that Cup Series teams, 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports, have filed against the sport.
NASCAR has been ramping up the pressure in the lawsuit lately. Now, they state that they intend to issue a charter to another organization for the 2026 season. It sounds like it is just one charter.
Right now, according to previous court rulings, the four charters that 23XI and FRM had back in 2024 prior to the lawsuit, are “non-issued.” The two charters that were bought from Stewart-Haas Racing last year are “inactive” and are not to be transferred or sold.
Now, this all hinges on the hearing later this weekend. Should the court deny the team’s request for a preliminary injunction, then this sale and transfer is likely to happen.
“Pursuant to the Court’s Orders date July 17, 2025 and July 22, 2025, NASCAR provides notice to the Court that it had discussions with [redacted],” the entry from NASCAR to the court reads. Notwithstanding this updated information, NASCAR commits that it will maintain its representations to not sell, transfer or otherwise convey this Charter until the Court issues its order on the motion for preliminary injunction currently pending before the Court.”
It is clear that NASCAR wants this lawsuit over with. They are also focused on moving past 23XI and Front Row. Multiple times, NASCAR has expressed they have no interest in doing business with the teams. So, what does this mean for the teams? And who is buying?
NASCAR lawsuit: Who is buying charter from 23XI, FRM?
One of the big questions here is: Who is buying this charter? To me, when I read the filing from today, it seems to be a newcomer to the Cup Series, not someone already with a charter.
“Under the Fourth Circuit’s mandate, there are currently 30 active Charters, two inactive Charters, and four non-issued Charters. [Redacted] have expressed interest in obtaining a Cup Series Charter to NASCAR executives multiple times over the past several years. Decl. of Steve Phelps … While discussions have occurred over time, [redacted].”
NASCAR made it clear that it is not selling one of the two Stewart-Haas charters that the courts consider to be “inactive.” This would be one of the non-issued charters, the four that 23XI and FRM owned prior to the lawsuit.
Could this be a team owner like Dale Earnhardt Jr. and JR Motorsports? Could it be another group that has been wanting to get their hands on a charter for several years? This week’s preliminary injunction hearing is going to set the stage for how the 2026 season looks and who is competing as well.
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