Denny Hamlin acknowledged for the primary time Friday it’s “TBD” if 23XI Racing will compete in 2025.
The response comes a day after 23XI Racing and Entrance Row Motorsports had been denied their preliminary injunction request. As the one two groups who haven’t signed the 2025 constitution settlement, not solely has a lawsuit been introduced in opposition to NASCAR on antitrust claims, the 2 organizations need to race as constitution groups subsequent season whereas pursuing litigation.
A constitution workforce is assured a spot in every race and a portion of the prize cash; open groups obtain considerably much less.
“I believe it’s all TBD,” Hamlin mentioned of the Nos. 23 and 45 groups operating The Conflict at Bowman Grey Stadium in February and the season-opening Daytona 500. “There are particular agreements we’re going to need to navigate, so I hope so.”
Though the injunction was denied, because it was decided the groups solely complained of speculative hurt, 23XI Racing indicated it would attraction the ruling. Moreover, U.S. District Court docket Decide Frank Whitney mentioned the workforce might file a renewed movement if circumstances change.
“We had been clearly happy with the ruling that the choose sees benefit in [the] case,” Hamlin mentioned. “He’s going to maneuver ahead to expedite it [and] expedite the invention facet of it, which is a reverse from what he had earlier than. Clearly [this could give us] a chance to refile as soon as the scenario adjustments, as a result of he is aware of that issues will change over the subsequent few months.
“He understands the complexity of it and clearly understands that the scenario is fluid, and we clearly might see some fairly dangerous hurt arising.”
A two-car workforce since 2022, the plan is to develop to a few full-time entries starting subsequent season. 23XI Racing is likely one of the groups that’s available in the market to purchase a constitution on the market from Stewart-Haas Racing, which is closing its doorways. Gene Haas saved one constitution for the rebranded Haas Manufacturing facility Group, however the different three are headed elsewhere.
NASCAR approves all constitution gross sales, however it’s unclear what NASCAR will determine in regards to the constitution if 23XI Racing can’t buy it.
Hamlin additionally admitted he doesn’t “have any indication of [what happens to] it. I don’t.”
