This week brought a massive wrench in NASCAR’s ongoing courtroom drama. But anyone who was expecting panic from the drivers at 23XI Racing or Front Row Motorsports (FRM) will have to keep waiting.
Despite a recent court ruling that might shake up their 2025 plans, the drivers stayed cool, calm, and media-trained without drama. But certainly, behind those tight-lipped interviews, a storm’s been brewing.
Tyler Reddick, Bubba Wallace, and Todd Gilliland Keep It Quiet
Tyler Reddick and Bubba Wallace are usually open books at the track, but when reporters asked about the latest legal blow to 23XI Racing, both clammed up.
The U.S. Court of Appeals overturned a previous ruling that let 23XI and FRM keep their charters for 2025 while suing NASCAR over the system. Now, both teams could lose those valuable spots and might have to run as “open” teams, too.
Teams said they needed injunction b/c charter agreement says they can’t sue NASCAR. Original judge’s decision ruled that release of claims likely violated antitrust law. Appeals court said that theory of antitrust law is not supported by any case it knows so vacated injunction. https://t.co/8HSrZzbIj9
— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) June 5, 2025
“I don’t have (to) comment on that, Bob. You’ll just have to talk to the legal team,” Reddick said when asked how he felt about possibly racing as an “open” team very soon.
Wallace, as usual, gave a cheeky answer: “Everything’s great. You know the answer already. You can let Denny comment on that stuff. You’re not going to get an answer that you want to hear from us.”
Todd Gilliland from Front Row Motorsports wasn’t exactly spilling tea either. He admitted, “There’s really not much I can do right, being part of the race team. And we’re just focused on letting those guys do their job and us do our job, to be honest.”
If the 23XI and Front Row drivers are stressed over possibly having to race as open teams starting later this month or how the appeals court ruling vacating the injunctions earlier this week impacts them, they aren’t saying much: @NASCARONFOX pic.twitter.com/yodwkWlRPp
— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) June 8, 2025
He, too, kept it professional. But it’s clear all three drivers are walking a fine line. They’ve got races to run, playoffs to chase, and a court battle hanging over their heads.
Charter Chaos Could Hit Michael Jordan’s 23XI Racing and FRM Hard
Having a charter in NASCAR is like having a VIP pass to every race. One gets guaranteed entry, more money, and bigger sponsor deals. Losing it means fighting for scraps as an open team, trying to qualify each week without any of the perks.
That’s a big deal, even if a team’s owners are as big names as Michael Jordan and Denny Hamlin. 23XI Racing currently runs cars for Wallace, Reddick, and Riley Herbst. None of them have won a race yet this season, but Reddick sits 11th in the standings and Wallace is 12th. So, they’re still in the playoff mix. Over at FRM, Gilliland is in 23rd, racing alongside Noah Gragson and Zane Smith.
MORE: Denny Hamlin Draws Line With NASCAR Amid Legal Battle
While the teams haven’t lost everything yet, the ruling means NASCAR can technically pull their charters if it wants. An appeal might be coming from the two teams, but for now, 2025 is looking a little murky.
Still, no matter what’s going on behind the scenes, the drivers are staying focused. After all, courtrooms don’t win championships — chequered flags do.