“Hopefully, we can come to our senses and figure out something that makes sense for everybody.” This was Michael Jordan’s first public statement during the Talladega race, hoping for a quick resolution over the charter deal. However, since then things have taken a turn for the worse, and the situation between the two parties has deteriorated.

The letters and the documents that 23XI Racing and NASCAR shared are now in the public domain. Moreover, the two rebellious teams, 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports have taken steps to ensure that they can compete in 2025. Michael Jordan and Bob Jenkins’ teams had planned to file a preliminary injunction that would allow them to compete next year.

This move was taken to ensure that employees and the partners working with the two teams aren’t affected by the legal proceedings. Sharing a joint statement on X, the two teams wrote, “The 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports teams are fully committed to competing in next year’s Cup Series. Today’s procedural filing is next step in advancing our case against NASCAR and their monopolistic practices while protecting our drivers, race teams, and sponsors by establishing our legal right to run in 2024.”

Again, this was a proactive move by the two teams, while NASCAR is yet to put out a public response to the anti-trust lawsuit filed against them. However, with the key details about the lawsuits now coming out, fans are siding with Michael Jordan and FRM. Even if this injunction doesn’t favor the two teams, they are open to the idea of competing as non-chartered teams in 2025.

Fans rally behind 23XI Racing and FRM’s stance of defiance against NASCAR

Initially, all 15 teams united in front of NASCAR, staying firm on their demands. However, the governing body got the better of them and was able to convince the teams to sign the new deal. They even held private meetings to influence the teams into signing the deal, while others were strong-armed with the threats of losing out on their charters. Reacting to new developments by the two teams a fan wrote, “This is a all star lineup that we didnt expect to fight nascar shame on the other teams for letting nascar and the france family control them.”

Usually, the manufacturers are at loggerheads in trying to get better of each other on the racetrack. However, when it came to standing firm against NASCAR’s unreasonable economic system, the Ford and Toyota teams came together. And this was indeed a surprise for some of the fans. “Ford and Toyotas teaming up against NASCAR. Who woulda thought?”

The documents shared by Bob Pockrass also highlight key points that were filed by the two teams. It mentioned that the Daytona 500 purse is 15% of the entire season. Moreover, 23XI Racing stated that by expanding to a third-car team, they would need to invest $2.5 million in parts and equipment. The teams are only allowed to source parts from NASCAR’s sanctioned third-party vendors. Reacting to this, a fan advised NASCAR to settle this issue as their stubbornness could backfire on them. “NASCAR won’t fight it if they know what is good for them.”

NASCAR is past its glory days and is trying to reinvent itself as the sporting giant it once used to be. In their effort, they have planned some massive undertakings, such as international races and more tweaks to the schedule and format. However, the core issues remain unsolved, as the teams are the ones taking the financial brunt of putting on a show. Spending close to $20-25 million a year without even breaking even is indeed a serious issue, one that NASCAR isn’t open to hearing out. Reflecting on the sad state of affairs, this fan added, “Hate to say it but seems like we are still dying as a sport.”

One user on X put up an interesting point. With the injunction, these two teams are asking to be allowed to compete as chartered outfits. But will it be on the terms of the past agreements or the new one that the 13 teams signed up for? Moreover, will they be allowed to enjoy the benefits of the charter teams without even signing the deal? “So, they want the benefits of the charter without signing the charter agreement.”

According to the updates by Bob Pockrass, NASCAR has two weeks until October 23 to respond to this motion of injunction, while also tackling the anti-trust lawsuit.