Michael Jordan’s 23XI Racing had a major breakthrough in their legal battle against NASCAR. On Wednesday, Judge Kenneth D. Bell handed both FRM and 23XI their long-awaited preliminary injunction. With this order, NASCAR now had no choice but to recognize both teams with chartered status for the 2025 season. Not only that, Bell also approved the transfer of Stewart Haas Racing charters to the two teams.

Naturally, NASCAR wasn’t going down without a fight, and they made their intention clear by stating that they would appeal this decision in the Fourth Circuit Court in Richmond, Virginia. On Thursday, NASCAR requested the court delay the injunction ruling. This means that both teams will not be able to transfer the SHR charters until Monday.

Tony Stewart still awaiting a return on his investment

With the announcement of SHR’s departure, Smoke was set to part ways with NASCAR and focus on his new adventures. His partner Gene Haas retained a charter for himself to set up Haas Factory Team, but the two owners decided to sell the remaining three charters. The estimated value of the Cup Series charter is between $20-25 million, and the successful sale of the three charters will leave Stewart with a bucket load of cash.

However, Stewart hasn’t been able to cash in despite Michael Jordan and Bob Jenkins breaking their banks to expand their teams. The ongoing legal tussle between the two teams and NASCAR has made the future of the two SHR charters murky. Moreover, the sanctioning body playing hardball and trying to revoke the injunction has only worsened matters.

FOX reporter Bob Pockrass shared an update regarding the court’s decision to delay the transfer of SHR charters to 23XI and FRM. “Judge said he will rule Monday on whether to delay enforcement of his order (pending appeal) that NASCAR approve the transfers of the SHR charters to 23XI/FRM. He ordered that if the sales have not been completed, that they don’t close on them until he rules Monday.”

Although the dispute is between the two teams and NASCAR, Tony Stewart and Gene Haas seem to be caught in the crossfire, and their charters are unclear. Despite the injunction, 23XI Racing and FRM will only be able to retain the charters for the 2025 season. There’s no clarity on what will happen to the charters if the two teams lose their antitrust case against NASCAR.

Adding to the confusion was this statement by the court, which stated that the teams could sell the charters back to NASCAR or other teams. “The Court clearly retains the equitable power to in the future effectively “unwind” those transactions through an order requiring Plaintiffs to transfer/sell the charters back to NASCAR or another team approved by NASCAR.”

However, the judge did lambast NASCAR for filing a late request to delay the injunction when they could’ve made the arguments in the initial filing itself. Not only that, it seems like the court has already made plans to get this dispute settled by the end of 2025.

The timelines have been set

Trending

HMS Legend’s Demise Has Emotional Jeff Gordon Echoing Rick Hendrick’s Humble Admission

Dale Jr’s Iconic Return With $101 Billion Partner, Outshines Kyle Larson & Chase Elliott

NASCAR 2025 Schedule: Iconic Short Track Added After 66 Years

87-YO Richard ‘The King’ Petty on Cloud Nine, Blessed With 2 New Family Members

NASCAR’s Setback Against Michael Jordan Could Potentially Open the Gates for Other Teams to Follow Suit

It is indeed hard to put a timeline on how long the legal tussle between Michael Jordan’s 23XI Racing and NASCAR will last. However, it seems like the court will take this antitrust case on priority and try to settle the dispute by the end of 2025. January 8 is the date set by the court on NASCAR’s motions to dismiss other pending motions. September 19 is the deadline for the discovery to be completed, and December 1 is set as the date for the trial.

“In 23XI/FRM-NASCAR case, a Jan. 8 hearing date has been set on NASCAR’s motion to dismiss and other pending motions. Judge has set a September 19 deadline for discovery to be completed and a December 1 date for trial.” Bob Pockrass shared this update on X. Well, the roadmap has been laid down and it’s fair to say there will be more twists and turns in this legal saga.

Although the dates for the antitrust lawsuit have been revealed, the fate of the two SHR charters is yet to be decided. In case NASCAR manages to block the transfer of the charters, Stewart will be forced to spring back into action to offload his charters to other potential buyers.