During the Roval race weekend, the off-track dispute involving the 23XI Racing charter lawsuit has taken center stage within the NASCAR community. As the legal battle continues, team owners, including influential names throughout the paddock, have joined forces to publicly support NASCAR’s charter system, signaling a collective opposition to the legal actions initiated by 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports (FRM).
The lawsuit, which originally saw 23XI Racing and FRM assert their standing within NASCAR, has shifted dramatically in recent weeks. Both teams lost their charter status through court rulings and now enter races as open entries, a position that has already had financial repercussions. This significant change leaves the organizations without the security and value typically associated with charter ownership, leading to increased challenges in sustaining their operations.
Team Owners Rally Around Preservation of Charters
The legal dispute is set to proceed to trial in less than two months, but NASCAR’s position has grown increasingly solidified. After the removal of charters for 23XI Racing and FRM, team owners from across the series have stepped in to support NASCAR’s approach, emphasizing the long-term value and stability offered by the charter system.
Public statements collected in court filings reveal a unified front among key industry figures. Richard Childress, a veteran team owner since 1969 and leader at Richard Childress Racing, strongly endorsed the charter concept.
“I believe in the concept of NASCAR’s Charter System.”
– Richard Childress, Team Owner
Childress argued that the system provides vital enterprise value to teams and that, without charters, maintaining a sustainable ownership model becomes difficult. He highlighted how the structure helps teams withstand economic pressures in motorsports and brings long-term equity into their businesses.
BJ McLeod, Joe Gibbs, Rick Hendrick, Brad Keselowski, Carl Long, Roger Penske, Gordon Smith, Rick Ware, Cal Wells, and Jon Wood were also among those whose statements were included in NASCAR’s legal response. The central theme throughout was a desire to retain and potentially make charters permanent, recognizing their positive impact on the series.
“Owners/exec statements included in NASCAR filing: Richard Childress, Joe Gibbs, Rick Hendrick, Brad Keselowski, Carl Long, BJ McLeod, Roger Penske, Gordon Smith, Rick Ware, Cal Wells, Jon Wood. Summary: Charters bring value, want them to stay, want to work toward permanent ones. https://t.co/MaaTPI4yXn
— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) October 4, 2025”
– Bob Pockrass, Journalist
Concerns Over the Future of Teams Without Charters
Rick Hendrick, principal of Hendrick Motorsports, reiterated that removing the charter structure could threaten the operational stability of his organization and other Cup Series teams. He provided background on how his team formed, and stressed that much of the current business ecosystem relies on the predictability charters bring.
“The charter system is critical to the stability of the NASCAR Ecosystem — the teams, the businesses that support us, and NASCAR itself.”
– Rick Hendrick, Team Owner
Hendrick expressed concerns about the ability of Cup teams to survive significant economic disruption if the system were dismantled, underscoring how the charter framework allows teams to plan for the future and attract necessary investments.
Desire for Amicable Resolution and Stable Industry
Joe Gibbs contributed his perspective on the 23XI Racing charter lawsuit, urging for a resolution before lasting harm is done to NASCAR. He recognized the importance of preserving the charter model for the benefit of all parties involved, from athletes to the families who depend on the sport for their livelihoods.
“I do not want to be a witness and I think it’s important for this to be resolved before any real damage is done to the sport.”
– Joe Gibbs, Team Owner
Gibbs mentioned difficult negotiations over the charter terms, ultimately expressing satisfaction that teams reached a compromise. He highlighted that failed talks could have placed hundreds of families at risk, as the removal of charters would jeopardize the employment and stability of those connected to the sport.
The trial will proceed soon, and NASCAR’s show of unity among owners, as well as prominent teams like Richard Childress Racing Garage and Hendrick Motorsports, reflects widespread concern about future sustainability in the absence of a formalized charter system. As the court case moves forward, the industry’s push to safeguard the charter model is likely to shape how NASCAR teams operate, how value is generated, and whether the sport’s business ecosystem remains robust for years to come.
Owners/exec statements included in NASCAR filing: Richard Childress, Joe Gibbs, Rick Hendrick, Brad Keselowski, Carl Long, BJ McLeod, Roger Penske, Gordon Smith, Rick Ware, Cal Wells, Jon Wood. Summary: Charters bring value, want them to stay, want to work toward permanent ones. https://t.co/MaaTPI4yXn
— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) October 4, 2025
Joe Gibbs: “I have made it clear to both sides in this lawsuit that I do not want to be a witness and I think it’s important for this to be resolved before any real damage is done to the sport.” https://t.co/yH6AUz9Itw pic.twitter.com/CXZXFKQ3oT
— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) October 4, 2025
