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Denny Hamlin reacts to major ruling in 23XI, Front Row-NASCAR lawsuit
John David Mercer-Imagn Images

Denny Hamlin is getting into the Christmas spirit after being gifted some tremendous news pertaining to 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports‘ joint legal battle with NASCAR.

On Monday, Judge Kenneth D. Bell has ruled in favor of there being no delay on the injunction order, which means the charter transfer from Stewart-Haas Racing to the two teams can officially take place, opening up the door for both teams to expand in 2025 as planned. 

“Judge ruling: No delay in enforcing requirement that NASCAR approve a charter transfer to Front Row,” Pockrass posted on X. “But as far as SHR transfer to 23XI, team has to ask for that again because preliminary injunction request was for FRM (I believe b/c 23XI had not yet formally asked for transfer).”

Evidently, that has Hamlin feeling merry ahead of Christmas Eve and Christmas Day this week. He took to X to share his immediate reaction to the news. Check it out below.

Alas, Hamlin hasn’t been shy on social media throughout the entire ordeal between his team and NASCAR. At the least, it’s made the entire situation a little more entertaining and more digestible for fans of the sport.

Moreover, the lawsuit as a whole has gone through a few back and forths between the Defendants and Plaintiffs. Last week, the court partially granted a motion to stay part of the preliminary injunction that was granted previously.

23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports will face NASCAR in a hearing on January 8, 2025, regarding the motion to dismiss as well as other motions in the case. Discovery has a deadline of September 19, 2025. 

If there is no settlement reached between the parties, a trial could begin on December 1, 2025. Going the long haul, the lawsuit would last the entirety of the 2025 NASCAR schedule. In the event of a trial, there is a deadline for that as well. The court is seeking to complete the trial before the 2026 Cup Series season.

Time will tell what the result of the lawsuit ends up being, and if it’s NASCAR or 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports celebrating at the end of it all. Regardless, Monday was certainly a win for the two teams arguing against the sport’s governing body.

On3’s Jonathan Howard contributed to this article.

This article first appeared on 5 GOATs and was syndicated with permission.

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