NASCAR Seeks to Amend Lawsuit Against 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — NASCAR has filed a motion in the United States District Court for the Western District of North Carolina seeking to amend its counterclaim against 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports. This motion, filed on April 17, claims that discovery has revealed new evidence confirming allegations that the teams, along with co-owner Curtis Polk, engaged in unlawful agreements violating antitrust laws.

According to NASCAR’s filing, the teams produced more than 200,000 pages of emails, texts, and memoranda after the original deadline for the counterclaim. NASCAR argues these documents support its allegations of a conspiracy among the teams to collude on compensation agreements and hinder NASCAR’s negotiations with media partners.

NASCAR’s initial counterclaim, filed March 5, accused 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports of orchestrating anticompetitive conduct related to NASCAR’s 2025 charter agreements. The newly discovered evidence reportedly shows Polk as the leader in these activities.

“Those documents indisputably confirm what NASCAR alleged in its counterclaim,” the filing states. “They reveal a concerted effort to fix compensation and allocate it among co-conspirator teams.” NASCAR has pinpointed Jonathan Marshall of the Race Team Alliance as a mediator in these agreements.

The rivalry intensified when 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports jointly filed an antitrust lawsuit against NASCAR last October, claiming monopolistic practices. The two teams are currently the only ones that did not sign the 2025 charter agreement, leading to further legal disputes.

NASCAR’s motion seeks to incorporate the recent evidence into its counterclaim, which could significantly affect the ongoing legal battle. A trial date for the antitrust lawsuit has been set for December 1.

Jeffrey Kessler, attorney for 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports, dismissed NASCAR’s latest claims as a “meritless distraction.” Kessler stated, “NASCAR’s response to our motion to dismiss shows the weaknesses in their arguments.” He emphasized that their original lawsuit aims to promote a competitive environment in the sport, contrary to NASCAR’s practices.

The ongoing legal struggles come as NASCAR is also contesting an injunction allowing 23XI and Front Row to maintain their status as chartered teams. A hearing regarding this injunction will be held in early May, with a decision expected by late June. The implications of these legal proceedings remain uncertain, especially if the charters are revoked mid-season.

NASCAR hopes the amended counterclaim will strengthen its position by firmly establishing evidence of illegal practices among the teams.