23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports handed race start lifeline with new rule change

23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports no longer appear in danger of missing a NASCAR Cup Series race this season as NASCAR has added a rule about Open teams making the field based on owner standings.

In the Entry Requirements section, it now reads, “NASCAR, at its sole discretion, may elect to limit the number of entries for a race to 40. In such instances, Open Teams will be determined based on the Team Owner Point standings.”

Additionally, in the section about Eligibility for Starting Grid Positions 1st – 40th, it now reads, “Up to six Open Teams will be eligible for spots in the race based on the highest ranked in the owner standings.”

The update to the NASCAR Rule Book comes as 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports are seeking a new preliminary injunction to be recognized as charter teams. Among the arguments for the injunction is the harm of not making the field.

The two organizations ran as Open teams at Dover Motor Speedway. But there was no danger of missing the field as there were only 37 entered teams, with the six combined teams from 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports, along with NY Racing Team, being the Open entries.

23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports will compete as Open teams again at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. However, there is no expectation that more than 40 teams will be entered in the event.

There have been two races this season where more than 40 teams entered the event. The first was the season-opening Daytona 500, and the most recent was in Chicago.