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Denny Hamlin talks latest injunction in NASCAR anti-trust lawsuit
NASCAR Cup Series driver Denny Hamlin (11) during driver introductions for the NASCAR Food City 500 at Bristol Motor Speedway. Randy Sartin-Imagn Images

Denny Hamlin explains reasoning behind latest injunction in NASCAR anti-trust lawsuit

Following Monday's news that 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports have filed for another injunction in an attempt to keep their charters, 23XI Racing co-owner Denny Hamlin spoke about the decision on the latest episode of " Actions Detrimental." 

Hamlin is a co-owner of the organization along with NBA legend Michael Jordan

"We filed a preliminary injunction and a restraining order against NASAR," Hamlin said on Monday. "The basis for the two (is that) through discovery, we have revealed a series of monopolistic acts that have occurred. We believe the status quo of us having our charters should not be disturbed until this is resolved on December 1 in the courtroom."

"To explain the restraining order, we're seeking for them (NASCAR) to not be able to take and then sell our charters," Hamlin continued. "If we prevail in December, how do you go get that back? You can't." 

Both 23Xi and FRM are scheduled to lose their charters by Wednesday and could be forced to run as open teams through the end of the 2025 season. In the short term, that carries major financial losses, the potential to pay money back and the possibility of a 23XI or FRM car failing to qualify for a race if more than 40 entries show up. 

In the long term, however, 23XI and FRM running as open teams could lead to a mass exodus of sponsors and drivers, as well as being the death knell for the organizations to stay in business. Whether or not 23XI and FRM run as chartered teams this weekend at Dover will be known by the end of the week. 

"He (the judge) will make a decision by the end of this week on that," Hamlin said. "I believe we've asked for NASCAR's response to this by tomorrow. They've asked for Wednesday. Each side will give their interpretation of it, and then the judge will make a ruling." 

"We're going to race," Hamlin said. "One thing we've always said is that we're committed to racing this season whether chartered or unchartered. But certainly, there's been some evidence that has been revealed that warrants this preliminary injunction."

Samuel Stubbs

Hailing from the same neck of the woods as NASCAR Hall of Famer Mark Martin, Samuel has been covering NASCAR for Yardbarker since February 2024. He has been a member of the National Motorsports Press Association (NMPA) since October of 2024. When he’s not writing about racing, Samuel covers Arkansas Razorback basketball for Yardbarker

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