Almost 10 months ago, Denny Hamlin started the 2024 Cup Series season with a bang. He won the Busch Light Clash race at the L.A. Coliseum, cashing his share of the big purse of $2.21 Million. For 2025, although Hamlin may have a chance of his own to compete, the same cannot be said about his drivers in 23XI Racing. Amidst the ongoing lawsuit, Michael Jordan and Co. incurred a legal blow that could deprive them of the next Clash race.

This depressing situation arises amidst NASCAR’s big plans for the 2025 Clash. The sport has shifted the race from the LA Coliseum, which drivers complained was too far in California. Now, the race will be held at the Bowman Gray Stadium, only an hour north of Charlotte, North Carolina, and also hallowed grounds for the sport. And Michael Jordan and his crew may not be able to visit it.

2025 opener set to miss Michael Jordan

Although optimism reigned supreme in 23XI Racing’s favor in the NASCAR lawsuit at first, the dominoes started falling. Earlier in November, a federal judge denied Michael Jordan and Co. a preliminary injunction that would allow chartered spots to the teams. That left 23XI Racing with only one choice – inking a deal with NASCAR for open-team racing in 2025. Although NASCAR reportedly “removed the anticompetitive release requirement in its open agreement,” the deal comes with conditions. For instance, open teams must undergo weekly qualifications and are excluded from financial assurances.

Another drawback is the exclusion from the prestigious Busch Light Clash race. In a recent Twitter update, NASCAR journalist Matt Weaver updated the teams’ unabated determination to compete next season. “23XI president Steve Lauletta says the team will have all three cars race next season — be it as a chartered or open team, depending on how the injunction appeal plays out.” But a curious fan pointed out that Bowman Gray was missing from Lauletta’s conversation. To this, Weaver delivered the harsh news to Michael Jordan‘s 23XI fans: “Yep. He said their intent is to be at Daytona with all three cars. It’s worth noting that open teams are not required to enter the Clash.”

Excluding one of the powerhouse Cup Series teams from NASCAR’s season opener would be a shocker indeed. Especially when 2025 welcomes the ‘Madhouse,’ built in 1937 and the site of points-paying NASCAR Cup Series races from 1958 to 1971. Bowman Gray Stadium holds a special place in the sport, being the home of grassroots racing. Michael Jordan and his team will sadly miss this historic comeback and the chance to win the purse involved with it. Although the 2024 Busch Light Clash purse dampened fans’ expectations, it still presents a good opportunity given the absence of points.

However, Denny Hamlin had already poured water on expectations surrounding Bowman Gray’s return.

No regrets for the missed opportunity

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As things currently stand, Michael Jordan and his team are barred from the Bowman Gray festivities. However, Denny Hamlin may have no regrets about that, as he has low hope for the new Busch Light Clash venue. The NASCAR Clash has a storied history that dates back to 1979. It was originally introduced to offer a trailer of what was to come in each year’s Daytona 500. In 2022, the sport shifted the race venue to the LA Memorial Coliseum – people complained about the distance from NASCAR’s home in North Carolina. But while the Bowman Gray makes up for the distance factor, its weather conditions may be more severe.

Denny Hamlin pointed that out soon after the new venue’s news dropped in August. “Obviously, my concern is more like the temperature. It’s going to be absolutely freezing if you have it preseason up there. But there’s not that many seats to sell. I mean, when you think about it, it doesn’t hold much. … I’m going to guess 15,000 seats, at Bowman Gray. So, I mean I’m kind of indifferent. … it’s not like this is a big market for us.” He also added that this racetrack is a quarter-mile in length, same as L.A. “I mean, the track — it’s probably going to be about the same size as The Coliseum… It’s probably, maybe even bigger actually, than The Coliseum. I mean, we know it’ll be a sh—t-show, for sure. We’re all just going to knock each other out of the way and whatnot.”

So even though 23XI Racing may not be competing at Bowman Gray, Denny Hamlin will forget it easily. For now, the lawsuit’s proceedings are the most anticipated, so let us see where Michael Jordan’s fate ends up.