The animosity began over two years ago and is now making major moves in NASCAR. A major section of the NASCAR Cup Series teams united to form the Race Team Alliance. This clique fired shots at the sanctioning body for an economic chokehold in the sport-featuring sky-high charter prices and meager slices of the media revenue pie. Michael Jordan and Co. took this battle a notch further in October by filing a NASCAR lawsuit.

23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports were the only two teams not to sign the 2025 charter agreement. By doing so, they put their futures at stake – only winning the lawsuit can guarantee their fair participation next season. However, will NASCAR go all the way in punishing two premier teams and pushing them out of the sport altogether? An insider shares his thoughts.

Michael Jordan’s presence may be more valued

After all, having the 6-time NBA champion as a NASCAR team owner brings millions of eyes to the sport. Michael Jordan’s commanding presence was a positive influence on NASCAR’s TV ratings when he formulated 23XI Racing with Denny Hamlin in 2020. In 2024, his team narrowly missed the Phoenix title, as Tyler Reddick raced in the Championship 4. Front Row Motorsports also has new plans brewing, with former Stewart-Haas Racing star Noah Gragson in their team. Additionally, now SHR has also pitted itself against officials in the NASCAR lawsuit – citing irreparable harm if its charters are not sold to 23XI and FRM.

So NASCAR does find itself in a bit of a pickle. Although their constant rounds of attack against Michael Jordan and Co. in the lawsuit have been aggressive, maybe the sanctioning body will slow down soon. In a recent ‘Money Lap with Parker Kligerman’ episode, Xfinity veteran Landon Cassill reflected on NASCAR’s hostile approach. “Now that we’re starting to see NASCAR’s filings and responses…seems pretty aggressive to me…In one of the most recent ones, NASCAR makes reference to, there is no charter offer available to those teams right now. If they want a charter, their only option is to win this lawsuit.” 

And Cassill believes NASCAR may adopt a lenient approach soon – revealing a hidden agenda that aligns with Michael Jordan‘s presence. He said NASCAR’s aggression is ultimately a veil: “I don’t believe that to be true in the end. I think that whatever the settlement ends up being – if there is a settlement, as 23XI and FRM may go all the way with this – …But I think that NASCAR wants 23XI in the charter field…FRM in the charter field. They want things back to where they were.” After all, a worst-case scenario would be Jordan and Co. fracturing the sport – formulating a rival series based on dissent.

And 23XI and FRM are particularly hardening their stance, as revealed in a round of counterattacks.

The plaintiffs are not backing down

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Michael Jordan and Co. incurred several harsh blows in the process of the lawsuit. Federal Judge Frank Whitney denied their preliminary injunction request at the start of November, throwing both teams’ 2025 prospects in a shadow. As 23XI Racing and FRM prepared to file a second motion, NASCAR dropped a bomb on December 3rd – calling for the dismissal of the case altogether. Its statement included, “Plaintiffs’ complaint reflects nothing more than dissatisfaction with business negotiations that didn’t go their way.” 

Despite the walls caving in from both sides, Jordan’s faction responded with determined zeal, posing their counterarguments against NASCAR in the lawsuit. Bob Pockrass documented the teams’ response to NASCAR’s request for dismissal. “23XI/FRM has filed brief opposing NASCAR motion to dismiss. Reiterates b/c NASCAR controls tracks (sanction agreements prohibit similar stock-car races) & controls Next Gen supplier/costs, it controls the market. Claim a team can’t just change operations to other racing series.”

Michael Jordan and Co. maintain that NASCAR has an unequaled amount of control over stock car racing, leaving them with no other options. Their claims included the sport’s exclusive ownership of ARCA and many racetracks, restricting the purchase of parts for the Next-Gen car, and also preventing teams from competing in rival series.

Evidently, both race teams are not willing to let go so easily. However, if Landon Cassill’s argument is valid, this legal battle may lose its hostile edge soon.