23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports are the only two teams that have decided not to sign the new charter deal with NASCAR. Arguments between the two parties have been well documented. Michael Jordan & Co. are demanding fair negotiation grounds, whereas NASCAR doesn’t want to lose its authority over the sport. Although this stance of defiance started as a unified front with all Cup teams holding firm against NASCAR.

But that resistance was broken just before the playoffs began. Justin Marks and Trackhouse Racing, who once rallied for a better prospect, joined the rest of the teams in signing the deal. He even acknowledged the situation that forced him to take this call, stating, “For Trackhouse, you know I look at it, and we didn’t get everything we wanted. But we got something we wanted.” In short, the team owner was ready to strike a bargain or a compromise to stay afloat in the sport.

However, NASCAR just couldn’t strong-arm 23XI and FRM, and this stance of defiance is something that Justin Marks admires.

23XI Racing isn’t afraid of locking horns against NASCAR

The charter negotiation deal has been stretched far too long than it was supposed to. With the 2024 year coming to a close, NASCAR wanted to settle the business. And after back and forth without a solution in hand, their patience wore thin, and eventually gave the teams an ultimatum. Either sign the deal or they could be at risk of losing their charters. Now for a team owner like Justin Marks, who has made massive investments in the business since 2021, he wasn’t going to take chances about his team’s survival.

“There are some elements that leave things to be desired for sure. NASCAR’s got a lot of power, a lot of influence, and they definitely have come out way in things, but I still feel like the sport is in about a good spot now as it’s probably ever been certainly in my lifetime, and with so much competition in the landscape for consumers and viewership, I think NASCAR is performing really well.” Marks said this on episode number 60 of the Happy Hour podcast.

Meanwhile, he also shared his opinion on 23XI Racing and FRM’s decision to not sign the charter deal. “As far as the other two I mean, I certainly admire their conviction; I certainly admire their willingness to stand up for what they’re fighting for. What they believe in, I don’t know where it goes; I don’t know what comes out of it because we wake up and we’re gonna prepare cars for the Daytona 500. So we’ll see how that goes,” he added.

The situation between NASCAR and 223XI Racing is tense. But by no means are the hopes of an agreement between the two parties lost. As far as 23XI Racing is concerned, they are planning to compete in 2025, with or without the charter deal. But how is that possible?

A lot of things are at stake with 23XI Racing’s uncertain future amid charter dispute

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The race team is more than just a home of drivers and team owners. There’s a long list of staff, crew, engineers, and even sponsors that are attached to the team. Without any clarity or confirmation, there was an air of nervousness surrounding the 23XI Racing Camp and its sponsors. While there are rumors that NASCAR and 23XI Racing could go to court and sort out things legally, Hamlin recently made a surprising statement.

“We’ve said we plan on racing next year no matter what. And we’re sticking to that.” He said this ahead of the Bristol race. Moreover, the team also renewed the contract of their star driver Bubba Wallace, further backing Hamlin’s stance of their continued presence in the sport. It’s not that a team needs to have a charter to compete in a NASCAR race, but again, this prospect won’t be in the best interest of the team as it’s financially draining. Apart from losing out on a guaranteed spot on the grid, the team will not be able to draw revenue from the TV deal. And NASCAR has bagged a massive $7.7 billion agreement for the next seven years.

23XI Racing has also been in the news for adding a third charter, along with the addition of their brand new race shop, Air Speed. So it’s fair to say that they are expected to find a way to reach a common ground with NASCAR on the charter deal.