NASCAR Today: Brutal Blow to Michael Jordan & Co. as Judge Declares Charter Losses ‘Risk of the Lawsuit’

One year after Michael Jordan took up arms against NASCAR, he has lost his assets. The NASCAR lawsuit featuring 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports vs. the sanctioning body has dealt several blows to the plaintiffs. From losing their chartered status to enjoying limited financial prizes as open teams, Jordan’s faction has gone through a lot. The final blow, however, may have come recently.

The last domino in the NASCAR lawsuit

Last December, Judge Kenneth Bell granted 23XI and FRM chartered status for the 2025 Cup Series season. In 9 months, however, the same judicial dignitary has dealt a brutal blow to Michael Jordan and Co. After the Fourth Circuit of Appeals overturned the December injunction in June, both teams had been competing as open teams. Recently, however, NASCAR had hinted at a potential buyer of the two teams’ six charters, despite notifying the judge about avoiding the redistribution of the charters. That prompted Jordan and Co. to file another 11-page preliminary injunction with Judge Bell, seeking recognition as chartered organizations until the NASCAR lawsuit’s hearing on December 1st.

Sadly, Judge Kenneth Bell did not listen to Michael Jordan and Co. this time. In a recent update on X, Bob Pockrass wrote, “Judge Bell has DENIED the 23XI/FRM motion for preliminary injunction with NASCAR saying it will leave six charters (out of 40) available so if that is a remedy as a result of the trial, they are available. Therefore no irreparable harm.” So Bell determined the charter losses to be a ‘risk’ of filing the lawsuit in the first place.

Statement from 23XI/FRM attorney Jeffrey Kessler on the ruling today: https://t.co/sw4WHun2Tl pic.twitter.com/DQ1nrS1TIZ

— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) September 3, 2025

Now, the two teams’ hard-earned charters from the now-defunct Stewart-Haas Racing will be at NASCAR’s disposal. Despite this disastrous consequence, 23XI/FRM attorney Jeffrey Kessler issued a toned-down response: “We are grateful that Judge Bell has made clear that the status quo is being maintained, protecting my clients’ rights to regain their charters if they prevail at trial and ensuring their ability to race throughout the 2025 season based on NASCAR’s commitments.”

Evidently, this marks a crucial turn in the NASCAR lawsuit and in Michael Jordan‘s tenure in the sport. Let us see what happens, so stay tuned for more updates!

The post NASCAR Today: Brutal Blow to Michael Jordan & Co. as Judge Declares Charter Losses ‘Risk of the Lawsuit’ appeared first on EssentiallySports.