As NASCAR heads deeper into the playoff season and braces for the novelties lined up for the following year, the sanctioning body also finds itself wrestling with heavy legal drama. The battle between 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports against NASCAR has become one of the sport’s most compelling storylines this season.

With new developments emerging every few weeks, both sides continue strengthening their positions in what could reshape the sport’s entire business model.

What Was the Last Update in NASCAR vs. 23XI Racing/Front Row Motorsports Case

Since the court initially denied granting charter status to both teams for the rest of the 2025 season, 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports have remained steadfast. The teams filed for a preliminary injunction to keep their charter status, arguing that losing chartered status would cause them irreparable damage in the long run. Despite fighting hard to strengthen their case, Judge Kenneth D. Bell ruled in favor of NASCAR.

The court stated that NASCAR would keep six charters out of its total count of 40. This means if the final hearings favor the teams, they would get access to the charters after the trial concludes in December.

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What Did the Teams’ Latest Summary Judgment Filing Reveal?

Following the charter ruling, the teams issued a summary judgment in response to NASCAR’s counterclaim that they had illegally attempted to land better deals for charters. The teams insisted that the court decide on NASCAR’s collusion allegations immediately. However, if the court does not rule on the claim immediately, the teams argued it should be addressed in a separate trial in 2026.

The teams further argued that their actions complied with NASCAR’s own rulings, allowing them to conduct joint negotiations. They also highlighted that they never hindered any NASCAR races and operated within the legal boundaries set by both NASCAR and federal law.

Popular motorsports journalist Bob Pockrass, who was one of the first to break the news on his X handle, wrote, “23XI/FRM filed tonight a summary judgment motion on NASCAR counterclaim alleging teams illegally colluded to obtain better charter terms. 23XI/FRM ask if summary judgment is not granted, that this counterclaim is a second, separate trial in 2026.”

23XI/FRM filed tonight summary judgment motion on NASCAR counterclaim alleging teams illegally colluded to obtain better charter terms. 23XI/FRM ask if summary judgment is not granted, that this counterclaim is a second, separate trail in 2026. (1/2)

— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) September 13, 2025

He further explained the key elements of the summary judgment filing. Pockrass added, “From the 23XI/FRM filing today: ‘The joint negotiations NASCAR voluntarily agreed to – without any restriction on individual negotiations, and without any “boycott” of NASCAR events – did not restrain trade as a matter of law.’ NASCAR response is due October 3.”

From the 23XI/FRM filing today: “The joint negotiations NASCAR voluntarily agreed to – without any restriction on individual negotiations, and without any “boycott” of NASCAR events – did not restrain trade as a matter of law.” NASCAR response is due Oct. 3. (2/2)

— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) September 13, 2025

With the teams’ latest demands now on the table, NASCAR faces a whole new angle of potentially defending against a separate trial. The legal battle’s next update comes Oct. 3, when NASCAR must respond to the summary judgment motion. This could determine whether the collusion allegations get resolved quickly or drag into another lengthy court proceeding in 2026.