23XI Racing runs as open team this weekend at Dover Motor Speedway after a U.S. District Court judge denied its request for a temporary restraining order, leading to the loss of its charter status and guaranteed starting position. The judge’s decision also affects Front Row Motorsports, placing both organizations in the open team category for the upcoming NASCAR race.
Teams Shift to Open Status After Court Denial
U.S. District Court Judge Kenneth D. Bell declined to grant an emergency order that would have allowed 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports to compete as chartered teams. With the ruling, both teams relinquish their chartered classification, which ensures a spot in every NASCAR Cup Series race and provides higher payouts from the race purse. This change takes effect immediately for the race at Dover Motor Speedway.
The open team designation means that entry to the race is no longer automatic. Normally, open teams can be left out if the total number of entries exceeds the 40-car field limit. However, only 37 cars are entered for the weekend at Dover, so both 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports will still compete, albeit with reduced revenue.
Legal Proceedings Behind the Status Change
Co-owned by Michael Jordan and Denny Hamlin, 23XI Racing, along with Bob Jenkins’ Front Row Motorsports, had initially secured a preliminary injunction from Judge Bell last December, which permitted them to run as chartered teams through the current NASCAR season. NASCAR responded by appealing to the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals. On June 5, a three-judge panel in the circuit vacated the preliminary injunction after oral arguments on May 9.
Following this setback, the two teams petitioned the full Fourth Circuit Court to review the matter, but the court declined on July 9. Bell’s subsequent decision not to grant a temporary restraining order cemented their position as open teams for the time being. No new ruling has been issued on whether a longer-term preliminary injunction will be granted.
Drivers and Implications Heading Into Dover
23XI Racing’s driver lineup for the Dover race features Tyler Reddick, Bubba Wallace, and Riley Herbst. Front Row Motorsports is fielding Todd Gilliland, Noah Gragson, and Zane Smith. Despite their open team status, the current entry list ensures all will compete on Sunday, but with diminished purse distributions and without charter protections.
This ruling increases uncertainty for both teams as they move forward in the season. The financial hit and lack of guaranteed entry in more crowded races could have ongoing effects, particularly if future entry lists reach capacity. The case’s outcome may influence broader charter and team status disputes within NASCAR, as organizations, drivers, and fans await possible developments from the courts.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Who is the CEO of 23XI Racing?
A. The owner and operator of the business is basketball Hall of Famer Michael Jordan. He partners with Denny Hamlin, a current driver for Joe Gibbs Racing and a three-time Daytona 500 champion.
