P1racenews AI automatic summary:
NASCAR filed a motion on Monday for a dismissal of the antitrust lawsuit brought by 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports. “Plaintiffs’ Complaint is a misguided attempt to dress up private business…
NASCAR has filed a motion seeking the dismissal of the antitrust lawsuit brought by 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports, calling the complaint a misguided attempt to address private business frustrations under the guise of antitrust law. The motion argues that the claims brought by the plaintiffs are time-barred by the statute of limitations and laches, and do not demonstrate a reduction in competition necessary to establish antitrust standing. Furthermore, NASCAR claims that the lawsuit seeks to renegotiate contractual terms rather than address anticompetitive behavior, and therefore should be dismissed.
The lawsuit, filed against NASCAR and chairman Jim France in early October, accuses them of monopolistic practices that prevent fair competition within the sport. In addition to the antitrust lawsuit, a motion for a preliminary injunction to race as charter teams next year was denied on Nov. 8, prompting the filing of an appeal and subsequent refile in district court.
NASCAR presented four grounds for the motion to dismiss, including that much of the plaintiffs’ claims are time-barred, they lack antitrust standing regarding the 2025 Charters’ release of claims, and because they did not sign the agreement, they are not impacted by the challenged terms. The motion also argues that failure to secure preferred contractual terms is not considered an antitrust injury, and a breakdown in contract negotiations falls outside the scope of the Sherman Act.
Ultimately, NASCAR underscores that without a signed agreement, 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports are free to race in any league or start their own, emphasizing that failure to secure better terms does not constitute antitrust injury.
