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Claim: Michael Jordan’s 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports have already won their antitrust lawsuit against NASCAR, with the court ruling fully in their favor. On October 2, 2024, Michael Jordan’s 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports officially filed their antitrust lawsuit against NASCAR in federal court in Charlotte, North Carolina, as reported by Courthouse News Service. The lawsuit alleges that NASCAR monopolizes premier stock-car racing and imposes unfair, anticompetitive conditions on race teams. The filing claims that NASCAR’s ownership of most top-tier racetracks, restrictive charter agreements, mandatory use of costly single-source Next Gen components, and bans on participation in other racing series combine to stifle competition. ADVERTISEMENT Exactly one year later, in October 2025, the official 2025 NASCAR Cup Series Charter Agreement became public through court filings in the ongoing case. U.S. District Judge Kenneth D. Bell ordered, as reported by Motorsport.com. The document was unsealed after issuing a summary judgment ruling in favor of the two teams on specific legal issues. The full, unredacted charter agreement—central evidence in the case—was released to ensure public transparency around NASCAR’s charter system and its financial structures. As noted by motorsport.com reporter Matt Weaver, the unsealing followed Judge Bell’s partial summary judgment in favor of 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports against NASCAR, which also led to “a number of documents” being opened to the public, including the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series Charter Agreement itself. Weaver highlighted that while some details were previously known, the updated payout formula—now based on a two-year rolling average instead of three—was made fully transparent only after the release. NASCAR reporter Bob Pockrass shared sections of the document on October 29, 2025, highlighting its key financial provisions and explaining their role in the ongoing antitrust dispute. Motorsport.com initially posted the full 2025 NASCAR Cup Series Charter Agreement but later removed it from its site. ADVERTISEMENT November 4, 2025: Judge Bell Rules NASCAR Holds Monopoly Power On November 4, 2025, U.S. District Judge Kenneth D. Bell issued a landmark pretrial ruling that marked a major development in the lawsuit. The judge found that NASCAR holds monopoly power over the market for premier stock-car racing, defined specifically as the NASCAR Cup Series. As Reuters reported, this decision sided with 23XI and Front Row’s argument that the Cup Series represents a distinct marketplace within motorsport. ADVERTISEMENT Read Top Stories First From EssentiallySports Click here and check box next to EssentiallySports The New York Times’ The Athletic also confirmed that Judge Bell rejected NASCAR’s claim that teams could simply compete in other series like IndyCar or Formula 1. The court instead recognized that NASCAR’s Cup Series constitutes a unique and exclusive market under U.S. antitrust law. This ruling established two legally critical points: NASCAR’s Cup Series qualifies as a distinct and protected market. NASCAR holds monopoly power within that market. ADVERTISEMENT As a result, the case now proceeds to trial, where the court will examine whether NASCAR’s conduct—including its charter rules, racetrack exclusivity, and restrictions on external participation—violates federal antitrust law. The trial is scheduled to begin on December 1, 2025. What the Ruling Means Judge Bell’s decision was a summary judgment on key legal questions, not a final verdict. It denied NASCAR’s motion to dismiss the case, allowing the lawsuit to advance. While the ruling represents a significant victory for 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports, the broader case remains unresolved. The upcoming trial will determine whether NASCAR’s business practices constitute unlawful monopolistic behavior. ADVERTISEMENT In essence, the court has already determined that NASCAR operates a monopoly within the top-tier racing market, but it has yet to decide whether that monopoly is being abused in violation of U.S. antitrust law. Summary Judgment Explained A pretrial summary judgment is a legal decision issued before a full trial when there are no genuine factual disputes and one side is clearly entitled to win based on the law. Under Rule 56 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, the court may grant summary judgment when “there is no genuine issue of material fact, and the movant is entitled to judgment as a matter of law.” This process can resolve entire cases or settle specific legal issues—such as market definition or monopoly status—before trial, saving time and resources. The complete, official text of Rule 56 is available in the December 2024 edition of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure published by the U.S. Courts: https://www.uscourts.gov/sites/default/files/2025-02/federal-rules-of-civil-procedure-dec-1-2024_0.pdf (see Rule 56, pages 48–52). Our Rating: Partially True The ruling by U.S. District Judge Kenneth D. Bell on November 4, 2025, confirming NASCAR’s monopoly power in premier stock-car racing, has been widely reported by ESPN Coverage, Motorsport Tribune, and EssentiallySports. While the ruling marked a major legal milestone, confirming NASCAR’s monopoly power over the Cup Series market and denying NASCAR’s motion for summary judgment, it was not the final verdict. Judge Bell’s pretrial decision delivered a significant procedural victory for 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports, but did not resolve the case entirely. The full antitrust trial begins December 1, 2025. In short: 23XI and Front Row achieved an important legal win, but the final outcome remains pending. Our Fact-Checking Sources
