23XI Racing co-owner Denny Hamlin has recently expressed huge uncertainty over the team’s participation in the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series.
In a candid statement made during a press conference following the Phoenix Raceway finale, Hamlin noted that the future of the team is “TBD,” marking a pivotal moment for an organization that has been rapidly evolving since its inception.
“I think it’s all TBD,” Hamlin said. “There are certain agreements we’re going to have to navigate, so I hope so.”
This admission comes in the wake of a federal judge’s denial of a preliminary injunction that would have allowed 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports to compete as charter teams while they pursue an ongoing antitrust lawsuit against NASCAR.
The implications of this ruling are profound for 23XI Racing, which has operated with two cars since its establishment in 2022 and had plans to expand to three full-time entries next season. The team’s current status as one of only two organizations yet to sign the 2025 charter agreement places them in a precarious position.
Charter teams enjoy guaranteed entry into each race and a share of the prize money, while non-chartered teams face significant financial disadvantages and uncertainty regarding their participation in all events.
Denny Hamlin’s comments reflect the complexities surrounding the charter system, which has been a contentious topic within the NASCAR community. The new charter agreements for 2025 include clauses that prevent teams from pursuing legal action against NASCAR, a stipulation that has raised eyebrows among team owners and stakeholders alike.
Both 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports have challenged these terms, arguing that they create an unfair competitive landscape that undermines their ability to operate effectively.
READ ALSO: 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports Antitrust Lawsuit Against NASCAR: What you need to know
In light of these developments, Hamlin emphasized that there are “certain agreements we’re going to have to navigate,” underscoring the intricate legal and operational challenges facing his team.
The denial of the injunction was based on the judge’s assessment that the teams had not demonstrated sufficient immediate harm, although he acknowledged the merits of their case and indicated that it would proceed expeditiously through the discovery phase.
“We were obviously pleased with the ruling that the judge sees merit in the case,” Denny Hamlin said. “He’s going to move forward to expedite it, expedite the discovery side of it, which is a reverse from what he had before.
“Obviously giving us an opportunity to refile once the situation changes, because he knows that things will change over the next few months. He understands the complexity of it and obviously understands that the situation is fluid, and we obviously could see some pretty bad harm coming up.
“I hadn’t been in a court room since I was maybe 11. I was riding my bike as a kid and a car hit me. And, they ended up suing me. They lost.
“We feel very adamant on our side of things. I’ve poured a lot into this sport in multiple ways and certainly financially over the last four years I’ve put a lot of the money that I got out of it, back into it.
“That certainly could all be wiped away, pretty quickly. It’s a nervous time for me. We hope that this thing gets resolved in a peaceful manner or in a correct manner.
“Certainly hate that we’re in the situation that we’re in after everything that we’ve put into this sport.”
The stakes are particularly high for 23XI Racing as they seek to secure additional charters necessary for their planned expansion. The organization is actively pursuing a charter from Stewart-Haas Racing, which is reducing its operations.
However, with the series’ recent decision to limit the number of charters available for sale, uncertainty looms over whether 23XI will be able to acquire the necessary assets to compete effectively in 2025 NASCAR Cup Series.
Tyler Reddick, currently one of the standout drivers for 23XI Racing, is also a focal point in this turbulent period. His potential departure could have significant ramifications for the team’s sponsorship deals and overall competitiveness.
Denny Hamlin noted that if Reddick were to leave amidst these uncertainties, it would mirror past instances where successful drivers departed from teams shortly after achieving championship success—an unsettling trend that could further destabilize 23XI Racing’s future.
“Furniture Row did it,” Hamlin stated as the team won a championship then sold off their organization. “Depending on who you ask. I’m sure on one side, they could care less whether you’re here or not.”
“We got an obligation to do everything we can to have a fair system. We’re just one of the ones that got stuck on the front line.”
As the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series season approaches, featuring notable changes including an international points race in Mexico City and adjustments to its race calendar, the pressure mounts on teams like 23XI Racing to adapt quickly.
With only weeks left before key events like The Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium and the Daytona 500, Hamlin’s non-committal stance raises questions about how prepared his team will be amid the pending lawsuit.
