NASCAR sues Michael Jordan and teams that sued them first; makes own antitrust claims

The road to trial took another turn Wednesday in the legal battle between NASCAR and two of its teams suing over alleged antitrust violations.

NASCAR has returned the favor.

The stock-car racing association announced Wednesday it has filed a counterclaim against 23XI Racing (co-owned by Michael Jordan) and Front Row Motorsports.

From NASCAR, which specifically names Jordan’s business partner, Curtis Polk: “The undisputed reality is that it is 23XI and FRM, led by 23XI’s owner and sports agent Curtis Polk, that willfully violated the antitrust laws by orchestrating anticompetitive collective conduct in connection with the terms of the 2025 Charter Agreements.”

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The dispute centers on NASCAR’s charter system, which includes 36 team charters (a loose term for “franchise”) to 15 races teams and guarantees starting spots each week to those 36. Thirteen of the 15 teams agreed to new charter terms last fall, following a new network television deal for NASCAR, but 23XI and Front Row refused, and the legal wheels began grinding.

The two race teams won a preliminary round when they were allowed to keep their team charters (each now has three) for the current season. Barring a resolution, trial is set for December.

“This is not the first time that 23XI and FRM have sought to impose their viewpoints, and those of their counsel, on the racing teams writ large,” NASCAR continued Wednesday. “And it is truly ironic that in trying to blow up the Charter system, 23XI and FRM have sought to weaponize the antitrust laws to achieve their goals.”

The third member of 23XI’s ownership group is current NASCAR star Denny Hamlin, who drives for Joe Gibbs Racing.

Front Row Motorsports is owned by Bob Jenkins, who owns an estimated 250 restaurant franchises, including KFC, Long John Silver’s and Taco Bell.

This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Michael Jordan sued NASCAR. NASCAR sues back. Antitrust case continues