Yahoo Autos Hamlin says it’s ‘TBD’ if 23XI Racing competes in Cup next season
Denny Hamlin acknowledged for the first time Friday it is “TBD” if 23XI Racing will compete in 2025.
The reaction comes a day after 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports were denied their preliminary injunction request. As the only two teams who have not signed the 2025 charter agreement, not only has a lawsuit been brought against NASCAR on antitrust claims, the two organizations want to race as charter teams next season while pursuing litigation.
A charter team is guaranteed a spot in each race and a portion of the prize money; open teams receive significantly less.
“I think it’s all TBD,” Hamlin said of the Nos. 23 and 45 teams running The Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium in February and the season-opening Daytona 500. “There are certain agreements we’re going to have to navigate, so I hope so.”
Although the injunction was denied, as it was determined the teams only complained of speculative harm, 23XI Racing indicated it will appeal the ruling. Additionally, U.S. District Court Judge Frank Whitney said the team could file a renewed motion if circumstances change.
“We were obviously pleased with the ruling that the judge sees merit in [the] case,” Hamlin said. “He’s going to move forward to expedite it [and] expedite the discovery side of it, which is a reverse from what he had before. Obviously [this could give us] an opportunity to refile once the situation changes, because he knows that things will change over the next few months.
“He understands the complexity of it and obviously understands that the situation is fluid, and we obviously could see some pretty bad harm coming up.”
A two-car team since 2022, the plan is to expand to three full-time entries beginning next season. 23XI Racing is one of the teams that is in the market to buy a charter for sale from Stewart-Haas Racing, which is closing its doors. Gene Haas kept one charter for the rebranded Haas Factory Team, but the other three are headed elsewhere.
NASCAR approves all charter sales, but it is unclear what NASCAR will decide about the charter if 23XI Racing cannot purchase it.
Hamlin also admitted he does not “have any indication of [what happens to] it. I don’t.”
