NASCAR Rant Report - Friday, June 6th

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Major headlines out of the Wednesday and Thursday:

U.S. Court of Appeals Rules Against 23XI & FRM
Previewing the Michigan Weekend

Plus, miscellaneous topics so far this week.

U.S. Court of Appeals Rules Against 23XI & FRM:

The U.S. Court of Appeals has ruled against 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports with the Fourth Circuit unanimously vacating the preliminary injunction that has allowed the two teams to compete as chartered entities during the 2025 season. This decision could strip both teams of their six combined charters—three each—including two recently acquired from the now-defunct Stewart-Haas Racing.

Initially, a district court sided with the teams, granting the injunction in December 2024. However, the appeals court found that the legal theory underpinning the injunction lacked precedent and that the district court had “abused its discretion.” The panel emphasized that requiring a release of claims as a condition of doing business does not, in itself, constitute a violation of antitrust law.

The ruling does not immediately strip the teams of their charter status. They have 14 days (until June 19) to request a rehearing by the full appeals court. If no appeal is filed, the decision takes effect seven days later, on June 26. If enforced, 23XI and FRM would be relegated to “open” team status, meaning they would have to qualify for each race without guaranteed entry and would receive significantly less revenue—roughly one-third of what chartered teams earn.

The implications are substantial. The loss of charter status could jeopardize driver contracts, sponsorships, and the financial viability of both teams. Drivers like Bubba Wallace, Tyler Reddick, and Noah Gragson have contracts contingent on chartered entries. Sponsors may also reconsider their commitments if the teams lose guaranteed exposure.

Despite the setback, the core antitrust case remains scheduled for trial on December 1, 2025. Both teams, represented by attorney Jeffrey Kessler, maintain confidence in their legal position and have vowed to continue racing throughout the season. NASCAR, meanwhile, has not publicly detailed what it will do with the reclaimed charters but has indicated that other chartered teams could benefit financially if 23XI and FRM are removed from the revenue-sharing pool.

Check out our Source Materials Page for more on this topic.

Want some non-AI content? Check out the previous Editorial:
NASCAR Sponsorship Flashback

Previewing the Michigan Weekend:

NASCAR returns to Michigan International Speedway this weekend with a packed schedule and high anticipation. The FireKeepers Casino 400 headlines Sunday’s action, beginning at 2 p.m. ET, streamed exclusively on Amazon Prime. The race is a key stop for manufacturers, with Ford and Chevrolet Toyota hoping to score a victory in their home territory.

The weekend also features the return of the Craftsman Truck Series to Michigan for the first time since 2020. The DQS Solutions & Staffing 250 will run Saturday at noon, while the ARCA Menards Series kicks off the weekend Friday evening with the Henry Ford Health 200.

Michigan’s 2-mile oval is known for its high speeds and wide racing grooves, making it one of the fastest tracks on the schedule. Weather forecasts are mostly favorable, though Sunday carries a slight chance of rain. The race also marks the start of seeding for NASCAR’s new In-Season Challenge, a mid-season tournament with a $1 million prize.

Several drivers are looking to make a statement. Defending race winner Tyler Reddick aims to repeat, while Michigan native Carson Hocevar hopes to capture his first Cup win at home. Chase Elliott, still winless in 2025, is a strong contender at a track where he’s historically performed well.

Check out our Source Materials Page for more on this topic.

Miscellaneous:

NASCAR Introduces Podium Celebrations in Mexico City: For the first time in a points-paying Cup Series race, NASCAR will hold podium celebrations for the top three finishers during its Mexico City event on June 14–15. This aligns with international motorsports traditions and will also apply to the Xfinity Series and NASCAR Mexico Series races that weekend. There are no current plans to extend this format beyond the Mexico event.

Connor Zilisch Expands Cup Series Schedule: Rising star Connor Zilisch will compete in two additional NASCAR Cup Series races at Atlanta and Watkins Glen, driving for Trackhouse Racing with Red Bull sponsorship. Zilisch, already a winner in the Xfinity Series, continues to gain experience at the top level while recovering from a recent back injury.

MBM Motorsports Returns to Truck Series with Tyler Tomassi: MBM Motorsports will re-enter the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series at Pocono Raceway with Tyler Tomassi behind the wheel. This marks Tomassi’s fourth Truck start of the season and a sentimental return to a track he grew up visiting.

Nathan Byrd to Make Truck Series Debut at Michigan: Rookie Nathan Byrd will debut in the Truck Series at Michigan International Speedway, driving the No. 02 Chevrolet for Young’s Motorsports with RCA Commercial Electronics as the primary sponsor.

Coach Sponsors Toni Breidinger for Two Races: Fashion brand Coach will sponsor Toni Breidinger’s No. 5 truck at Michigan and Talladega. The partnership builds on her involvement in Coach’s SoHo Sneaker Campaign and highlights her role as a brand ambassador.

Tablo TV Expands Partnership with Ryan Ellis: Tablo TV will sponsor Ryan Ellis in three Xfinity Series races—Mexico City, Kansas, and Talladega—featuring in-car cameras to enhance fan engagement. The partnership emphasizes accessibility and immersive viewing experiences.

Trigon Combat Sponsors Kyle Sieg in Mexico City: Combat sports brand Trigon Combat will sponsor Kyle Sieg in the Xfinity Series race in Mexico City. The partnership includes on-site fighter appearances and marks Trigon’s strategic entry into motorsports marketing.

Phorm Energy Partners with Hendrick Motorsports: Phorm Energy, a new energy drink brand backed by Anheuser-Busch and Dana White, has signed a multi-year deal with Hendrick Motorsports. The partnership includes primary sponsorship of William Byron’s No. 24 car and branding throughout the team’s new athletic center.

Totalplay Sponsors Carson Hocevar for Mexico City Cup Race: Mexican telecom giant Totalplay will sponsor Carson Hocevar in the Cup Series’ inaugural Mexico City race. Hocevar, coming off strong road course performances, is optimistic about his chances at the international event.

Real American Beer Returns with Ricky Stenhouse Jr.: Real American Beer will sponsor Ricky Stenhouse Jr.’s No. 47 Chevrolet at Michigan, continuing its bold branding campaign in NASCAR. WWE legends Hulk Hogan and Jimmy Hart will support the promotion trackside.

Iowa Speedway Tire Test Cut Short by Rain: A Goodyear tire test at Iowa Speedway was shortened due to rain, limiting Cup drivers Kyle Busch, Chase Briscoe, and Austin Cindric to brief morning sessions. Despite the weather, ticket demand for the upcoming August race remains high, with a sellout expected soon.

Kyle Petty Charity Ride Raises $1.4 Million: The 29th annual Kyle Petty Charity Ride Across America raised over $1.4 million for Victory Junction, a camp for children with chronic illnesses. The ride spanned seven states and featured celebrity participants, continuing its legacy of charitable impact.

Check out our Source Materials Page for more on these topics.

Thumbnail image credits on our Source Materials Page.

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