NASCAR denied in request for partial stay of preliminary injunction

Thu Dec 26 01:20:00 UTC 2024: ## NASCAR’s Charter Sale Blockade Fails: Court Orders Approval for Front Row Motorsports

**CHARLOTTE, NC (December 23, 2024)** – A federal judge has rejected NASCAR’s attempt to halt the sale of a charter from Stewart-Haas Racing to Front Row Motorsports, ordering the sanctioning body to immediately approve the transfer. U.S. District Judge Kenneth D. Bell denied NASCAR’s motion for a partial stay of a preliminary injunction issued earlier this month.

The ruling specifically applies to Front Row Motorsports’ charter acquisition. A separate request from 23XI Racing, which was not part of the original filing, will be considered by the court independently.

NASCAR argued that the injunction would harm the organization, but Judge Bell stated that NASCAR failed to demonstrate it would succeed on the merits of its case and that arguments regarding irreparable harm had already been addressed. The judge also refuted NASCAR’s claim that the injunction contradicted Fourth Circuit precedent, asserting the court has discretion to create injunctions based on the specific circumstances of the case. The injunction is limited to the 2025 season, preventing a long-term commitment.

The court found that NASCAR’s refusal to approve the transfer to Front Row was based solely on the team’s unwillingness to drop its antitrust lawsuit and release related claims—actions the court deemed likely unlawful. The court emphasized that denying the injunction would cause irreparable harm to Front Row by denying them a unique opportunity to secure a charter. Conversely, the court determined that NASCAR would not suffer irreparable harm by adhering to the 2025 charter agreement, considering it consistent with agreements made with other teams and deemed fair by NASCAR itself.

The underlying antitrust lawsuit is set for trial in December 2025, unless resolved earlier through settlement. This decision marks a significant legal victory for Front Row Motorsports and raises questions about NASCAR’s charter transfer process.

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