Bubba Wallace Sent Warning To 23XI Racing About 2025
12/18/2024 03:59 PM
The NASCAR Cup Series season recently ended, but teams are also looking forward to the 2025 campaign. 23XI is looking to build on a season in which one of their drivers qualified for the playoffs, but they're also dealing with their ongoing legal action against NASCAR as a governing body.
Prior to Wednesday's decision, there was real doubt that 23XI drivers (and Front Row Motorsports) would be able to race as chartered teams due to to the lawsuit.
The judge presiding over the case ruled that 23XI and Front Row can race as chartered teams, a move that appears to follow a pointed message from star driver Bubba Wallace.
U.S. District Court Judge Kenneth Bell, who is overseeing the case, cited Wallace's potential to join another team next season in his decision.
Wallace sent a message to 23XI, letting them know that he would pursue opportunities with other teams if he wasn't able to drive a chartered car.
"23XI's contract with driver Riley Herbst similarly requires that Herbst be provided with a chartered car, as does Front Row's contract with driver Noah Gragson," the court said on Wednesday.
"Other drivers have expressed similarly urgent concerns. Driver Bubba Wallace informed 23XI that he needs to know how it intends to compete 'immediately' so that he can explore seats with other teams."
The judge ruled that the circumstances surrounding Wallace and the other drivers constituted "immediate harm," and granted the temporary induction.
"We welcome today's decision by Judge Bell granting a preliminary injunction in our favor. The court's ruling allows 23XI and Front Row Motorsports to race existing cars as chartered teams in next year's Cup Series," said Jeffrey Kessler, the attorney for the two teams.
"The decision also requires NASCAR to approve both teams' purchases of a third charter from Stewart-Haas Racing and allow these cars to also race as chartered teams in the 2025 season. We are confident in the strength of our case and will continue to fight so that racing can thrive and become a more competitive and fair sport in ways that benefit teams, drivers, sponsors and, most importantly, our fans."
As the case continues in court, we'll see what NASCAR will do to defend itself against the allegations of monopolization from the two teams. For now, the 23XI and Front Row drivers will compete in their usual ways this season.
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