Two Race Teams File Antitrust Lawsuit Against NASCAR Over Charter Agreement

Another interesting layer of the Charter Agreement saga was written on Wednesday morning as 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports officially filed an antitrust lawsuit in the Federal Court of North Carolina against NASCAR.

The lawsuit from the two teams, who have held out from signing the NASCAR Charter Agreement, alleges, "the unlawful monopolization of premier stock car racing by the France family in order to enrich themselves at the expense of the premier stock car racing teams that the fans come out to see and that sponsors and broadcasters value."

With the public filing records going public on Wednesday morning, 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports issued a joint statement about the matter, where the two teams expressed the need for change within the sport of NASCAR.

"We share a passion for racing, the thrill of competition, and winning. Off the racetrack, we share a belief that change is necessary for the sport we love," the teams state. "Together, we brought this antitrust case so that racing can thrive and become a more competitive and fair sport in ways that will benefit teams, drivers, sponsors, and most importantly, fans."

Expanding on the joint statement, Front Row Motorsports team owner Bob Jenkins says it's time for NASCAR teams to have the chance to build enterprise value like teams in every other major sport.

"I have been part of this racing community for 20 years and couldn't be more proud of the Front Row Motorsports team and our success. But the time has come for change," Jenkins said. "We need a more competitive and fair system where teams, drivers, and sponsors can be rewarded for our collective investment by building long-term enterprise value, just like every other successful professional sports league."

Last month, teams were reportedly pressured to sign the Charter Agreement by midnight ET on Friday, September 6. Sources have disclosed to Racing America that the teams were told if they didn't sign the deal by the deadline, they would face having their Charters revoked by the sanctioning body.

All of the teams, aside from 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports, signed the Agreement.

Photo Credit: Danny Hansen, NKP for Ford Performance