TALLADEGA, Ala. — Michael Jordan expressed confidence Sunday in the outcome of his 23XI Racing team's recent antitrust lawsuit against NASCAR in federal court. athletic, “I wouldn’t have applied if I didn’t think I could win.”
Jordan made the comments while sitting atop 23XI driver Bubba Wallace's pit box before Sunday's race at Talladega Superspeedway. The team claims that NASCAR operates as a monopoly and uses “anti-competitive and exclusionary practices” to “enrich itself at the expense of premier stock car racing teams.” The lawsuit was filed jointly with Front Row Motorsports, the NASCAR organization.
The issues between the parties center on NASCAR's so-called “charter system” and the final “take-it-or-leave-it” offer that NASCAR made to teams for contract extensions last month. Thirteen of the 15 team owners signed the deal, leaving the 23XI and front row as holdouts.
“We want a fair deal and this was unfair. It's not just filed for me. It's for everyone,” Jordan said, arms outstretched as cars lined up on the grid. He gestured towards him.
even deeper
Gluck: For Michael Jordan, it became personal and now he could change NASCAR forever
Meanwhile, NASCAR continued to decline comment. The sanctioning body has not publicly responded or reacted since the lawsuit was filed, and NASCAR did not comment when the 23XI and Front Row refused to sign the charter agreement in September.
NASCAR Chairman and CEO Jim France, who is named as a defendant in the lawsuit, thanked reporters for the opportunity to comment, but when approached in the garage area Sunday. said he had nothing to say about the lawsuit.
“I'm excited to be in contention for the championship and looking forward to a great race today,” France said.
23XI and Front Row plan to apply for a preliminary injunction in federal court on or about October 8, according to court records.
Charters are NASCAR's version of a franchise, with a guaranteed spot in each race (and guaranteed access to more race prize money and money from the points fund during the season than non-chartered teams).
Must read
(Photo: Logan Riley/Getty Images)
