Michael Jordan’s 23XI Racing team has qualified to challenge for the championship this NASCAR Cup Series season, but with a courtroom saga on tow. While it may seem a straight-cut affair, it is far from it.
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The second race of the penultimate postseason round saw Tyler Reddick blitz fellow playoff challengers Ryan Blaney and Denny Hamlin on the last lap to lock himself into the Final 4 round. However, the result from the #45 team, co-owned by Jordan and Hamlin, invited ire from former NASCAR driver Kenny Wallace, who touched on the irony of the situation.
Wallace reminded everyone that 23XI Racing and its owners are one of the two teams in the sport that have taken the legal route to rectify their issues with the governing body’s charter negotiation.
“The team that is suing NASCAR just locked themselves in the championship race,” exclaimed Wallace.
The lawsuit against NASCAR comes from 23XI and Front Row Motorsports, who disagreed to sign the charter agreement and claimed the governing body’s tendencies to twist teams’ arms into deals are unfair.
Fans were also quick to react and came in with their perspectives.
“What if Reddick wins the championship? The Champ in a “open” car =bad look for NASCAR,” said one fan, touting Reddick’s win would be a negative publicity for stock car racing.
What if Reddick wins the championship? The Champ in a “open” car =bad look for NASCAR
— Gwing21 (@Gwing21) October 27, 2024
Another fan spoke about the irony in it all, “Same thought crossed my mind. Ya gotta love the irony!”
Latest developments as NASCAR and Jordan go head-to-head in court
After 23XI and Front Row Motorsports decided to go up against the governing body of the sport, a preliminary injunction was filed by both racing outfits in the lawsuit. That allowed them to compete without signing the charger for as long as the decision on the case is made.
Unsurprisingly, NASCAR has pushed back too, denying the teams the upper hand. It remains to be seen how this ever-evolving story shapes up as both parties seem to be confident of their chances.
Meanwhile, drivers will prepare for the final race of the Round of 8 next weekend at Martinsville before heading to the title decider in Phoenix.
