A three-judge panel from the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals unanimously vacated a preliminary injection order Thursday that had allowed 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports to compete as chartered teams — and receive the financial benefits as a chartered team.

“We are disappointed by today’s ruling by the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals and are reviewing the decision to determine our next steps,” said Jeffrey Kessler, attorney for 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports. “This ruling is based on a very narrow consideration of whether a release of claims in the charter agreements is anti-competitive and does not impact our chances of winning at trial scheduled for December 1.

“We remain confident in our case and committed to racing for the entirety of this season as we continue our fight to create a fair and just economic system for stock car racing that is free of anticompetitive, monopolistic conduct.”

The 2-mile oval in Brooklyn, Michigan, returns to June for its annual event weekend.

There will be no impact to the teams this weekend at Michigan International Speedway. 23XI Racing, co-owned by Michael Jordan and Denny Hamlin, and Front Row Motorsports, owned by Bob Jenkins, may file a petition for rehearing before the entire Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals within 14 calendar days. That would be June 19.

Thursday’s decision by the three judges does not go into effect until seven days after the expiration of time period for 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports to file a petition for rehearing. That would be June 26.

This matter is only a part of the lawsuit 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports filed against NASCAR last year. The case is still scheduled to go to trial in December.

The teams sought the injunction last year, stating that a clause in the charter agreement prohibited teams from suing NASCAR. The teams stated that if they did not run as chartered teams they faced the possiblity of losing sponsors and drivers.

A U.S. District Court Judge Kenneth D. Bell granted the preliminary injunction on Dec. 18, stating in his opinion that “NASCAR fans (and members of the public who may become fans) have an interest in watching all the teams compete with their best drivers and most competitive teams.”

The three-judge federal appellate panel gave an indication that Thursday’s decision was likely during a May 9 hearing. One of the judges stated in the hearing: “If you don’t want the contract, you don’t enter into it and you sue. Of if you want the contract, you enter into it and you’ve given up past releases. But … you can’t have your cake and eat it too.”

The NASCAR Cup Series heads to one of its fastest tracks this weekend with a trip to Michigan International Speedway.

The panel stated its opinion Thursday.

“In entering a preliminary injunction in this case, the district court held that the plaintiffs were likely to succeed on the merits of their antitrust action against the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing, LLC (NASCAR), and its CEO, James France, because NASCAR, as an alleged monopolist, required the plaintiffs, as a condition of doing business with them, to enter into a release for past conduct.

“Because that theory of antitrust law is not supported by any case of which we are aware, we conclude that it was not a likely basis for success on the merits and vacate the injunction.”

The three-judge panel also stated in its opinion:

“While the plaintiffs’ complaint (by 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports) alleged years of conduct and contract provisions that they claimed were anticompetitive, thus attacking NASCAR’s entire business model, they requested at the same time that the district court order that they “be permitted to participate in NASCAR Cup Series events under the terms of the 2025 Charter Agreement (with the exception of the Release).” The plaintiffs therefore requested to participate in the very business that they sought to dismantle. The district court accommodated the plaintiffs’ request, explaining that, while the plaintiffs alleged broader monopolistic conduct, it was relying on only one basis to grant the preliminary injunction.

“It stated, “Plaintiffs have a likelihood of success on their allegation that the Release is unlawful. The Court emphasizes that it does not reach and expresses no opinion as to Plaintiffs’ likelihood of success on their other Sherman Act claims . . . .”

23XI Racing has three Cup teams with drivers Tyler Reddick, Bubba Wallace and Riley Herbst. Corey Heim is a development driver for the team and has run select races for the organization.

Front Row Motorsports has three Cup teams with drivers Todd Gilliland, Zane Smith and Noah Gragson.

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit in North Carolina ruled against the preliminary injunction granting 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports (FRM) the right to operate as chartered entities on Thursday morning, leaving the organizations on uncertain footing heading into NASCAR’s summer stretch.

After electing not to sign new Cup Series charter agreements for 2025 in September, 23XI and FRM filed a lawsuit in federal court in Charlotte on Oct. 2, 2024, claiming that its actions over the process violated antitrust laws. The teams requested a preliminary injunction with the district court to allow them to participant under the terms of the Charter Agreement for 2025, excising the release forbidding them to sue the sanctioning body. It initially failed but was ultimately approved by Judge Kenneth D. Bell in December.

Judges Paul V. Neimeyer, Steven Agee and Stephanie D. Thacker presided over the appeal. In the opinion accompanying Thursday’s ruling, Niemeyer said the injunction granted had no legal basis.

“In short, because we have found no support for the proposition that a business entity or person violates the antitrust laws by requiring a prospective participant to give a release for past conduct as a condition for doing business, we cannot conclude that the plaintiffs made a clear showing that they were likely to succeed on the merits of that theory,” Niemeyer wrote. “And without satisfaction of the likelihood-of-success element, the plaintiffs were not entitled to a preliminary injunction.”

In the time since the Judge Bell’s decision, both companies have operated as chartered teams, fielding three full-time cars apiece after acquiring an additional charter each from the now-defunct Stewart-Haas Racing. NASCAR filed its appeal brief on Feb. 12, FRM and 23XI filed their response on March 14 and the appeal was heard on May 9 by a three-judge panel in Richmond, Va.

With Thursday’s ruling, the teams could now lose both their pre-existing four charters and the two they acquired from SHR, requiring them to race as open teams through the remainder of the court process. FRM and 23XI will get 14 days to petition for a rehearing, with the mandate enforcing the judgment coming seven days after that deadline passes. If that were all to pass, FRM and 23XI could be forced to operate as open entries in three weeks, starting with the race weekend at Atlanta’s EchoPark Speedway.

It’s unlikely that losing the charters would keep any of the teams’ six entrants from making the Cup Series field for any races moving forward in 2025, given that most races outside of the Daytona 500 fail to see more than 40 entrants. But the decision would be a substantial financial blow to both programs, costing them the larger share of purse and point fund money offered to chartered teams.

Bubba Wallace, Tyler Reddick and Riley Herbst currently compete for 23XI, while FRM fields Noah Gragson, Todd Gilliland and Zane Smith. Herbst and Smith both arrived with team expansions after the addition of third charters from SHR. It’s uncertain what would happen with those charters moving forward, though NASCAR could presumably take over their ownership.

“We are disappointed by today’s ruling by the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals and are reviewing the decision to determine our next steps,” attorney Jeffrey Kessler said in a statement on behalf of 23XI and FRM. “This ruling is based on a very narrow consideration of whether a release of claims in the charter agreements is anti-competitive and does not impact our chances of winning at trial scheduled for December 1.

“We remain confident in our case and committed to racing for the entirety of this season as we continue our fight to create a fair and just economic system for stock car racing that is free of anticompetitive, monopolistic conduct.”

Phorm Energy has joined forces with 14-time NASCAR Cup Series championship-winning race team Hendrick Motorsports in a multi-year agreement, which covers several aspects of the race team.

The partnership with the game-changing energy drink (the result of a partnership between Anheuser-Busch, 1st Phorm, and Dana White) begins immediately and runs through 2027.

Hendrick Motorsports and Phorm Energy, in their partnership, will feature dynamic marketing integrations, including primary sponsorship of the No. 24 Chevrolet, branding with pit crew athletes, and a presence inside Hendrick Motorsports’ new athletic center.

“Launching Phorm Energy is a huge moment for our team, and partnering with Hendrick Motorsports is just another way we can continue to grow and deliver something truly special,” said Sal Frisella, CEO of 1st Phorm. “We have built this brand for people that embrace the grit and grind of their everyday lives, and that’s something that Hendrick Motorsports and their drivers inherently know and understand. We know we have found the right partner in Hendrick Motorsports, and together we have big plans.”

Starting in 2026, Phorm Energy will have a multi-race presence as the primary sponsor for William Byron and Hendrick Motorsports, starting with two events next season and four events in 2027. The energy drink will also serve as a full-season associate sponsor of the No. 5 (Kyle Larson), No. 24 (William Byron), and No. 48 (Alex Bowman) Chevrolet entries for the 2025, 2026, and 2027 NASCAR Cup Series campaigns.

“It’s an amazing opportunity to work with a powerhouse like Anheuser-Busch, as they launch Phorm Energy and build something new,” said Jeff Gordon, Vice Chairman of Hendrick Motorsports. “As a brand grounded in shared values of dedication and hard work, we’re proud that the No. 24 team and our incredible athletes get to be part of their community. We’re making a major investment in our facilities to support our teammates with the best possible resources, and it’s exciting to have Phorm Energy involved from day one. We look forward to collaborating on a distinctive and authentic program.”

In addition, the collaboration will extend to Hendrick Motorsports’ new 35,000-square-foot athletic center and corporate meeting space, which broke ground in April and is scheduled to open before the 2026 season.

Located on the team’s campus in Concord, North Carolina, the state-of-the-art facility will feature Phorm Energy products and branding, while serving as a hib for training, recovery, and overall health for Hendrick Motorsports and its employees.

Jeg Coughlin Jr. and the SCAG Power Equipment / Outlaw Light Beer Pro Stock team have their sights set on defending their 2024 victory at the Super Grip NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals at Bristol Dragway. A back-to-back win would mean a fourth consecutive winner’s circle for Elite Motorsports. 

“It is always a treat to pull through the gates at Bristol Dragway and even more exciting as the returning champion,” Jeg Jr. said. “We’ve been fortunate to make many memories at Thunder Valley, and this year should be no exception.”

In addition to his 2024 victory, where he raced past teammates Troy Coughlin Jr. and Erica Enders before taking down now reigning world champion Greg Anderson in the finals, Jeg Jr. had wins at Bristol Dragway in 2018 and 2007. He was also the No. 1 qualifier in 2017 and 2007.

Through the first six races of the Mission Foods NHRA Drag Racing Series Pro Stock season, Jeg Jr. is sitting 10th in the points standings. He started the season with a semifinal appearance at the NHRA Gatornationals and has had one quarterfinal exit. Uncharacteristic of the dominant Pro Stock team, Elite Motorsports is looking for its first NHRA victory of the season.

“We’ve had an unusually slow start to the 2025 season, but we appear to have turned the corner on performance. We’re looking to put up a fight and defend our win from one year ago,” Coughlin added. “It couldn’t come at a better time with all of our SCAG dealers and distributors that will be joining and cheering us on. We also have our JHG family in attendance; would love to share the winner’s circle with our great partners.”

Joining Jeg Coughlin Jr. at Bristol Dragway, teammate Erica Enders, a six-time Pro Stock world champion driving the Johnson’s Horsepowered Garage / Melling Performance / SCAG machine, is eager secure her 50th national event title, 49th in Pro Stock, fourth at Bristol Dragway; she most recently won in 2023.

Aaron Stanfield, driving for JHG / Melling / Janac Brothers, is racing for his second win at the facility. He won in 2022; the year he joined Elite Motorsports and the start of their domination at Bristol Dragway.

Troy Coughlin Jr., driver of the JEGS.com hot rod, is looking for his first win at the unique facility and his second win of the year. He started 2025 with a victory at the specialty PRO Superstar Shootout in Bradenton, Florida.

In his first season with Elite Motorsports, Greg Stanfield, a veteran of the class, brings his wealth of experience as he chases his first win with the team.

After sitting out of the new England Nationals, the Cuadra Boys, Fernando Cuadra Jr., Cristian and David, are ready to showcase their growing prowess in their Cuadra Tequila / Cuadra Belts / Cuadra machines.

The Super Grip NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals kicks off with four sessions of qualifying Friday at 6:00 and 8:30 p.m. and Saturday at 12:30 and 3:00 p.m., followed by eliminations on Sunday at noon. Fans can catch the action on FOX Sports 1 (FS1) Friday at 7:30 p.m. ET, Saturday at 8:00 p.m. ET and Sunday at 3:00 p.m. ET and live all weekend on the NHRA.tv streaming platform.

This story was originally published on June 5, 2025.

The NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series is no stranger to bold paint schemes and major sponsors, but Toni Breidinger just raised the bar, again. Known for pushing boundaries both on and off the track, the TRICON Garage driver is once again merging high fashion with high horsepower.

Breidinger’s latest partnership with the popular New York fashion brand is all set to turn heads at Michigan and Talladega. This weekend, her No. 5 Toyota Tundra TRD Pro will sport a fresh new look — one that reflects her racing grit and personal flair. While NASCAR fans have seen plenty of iconic sponsors in the sport’s history, this latest collaboration signals a striking and significant cultural crossover.

Toni Breidinger Blends Style and Speed With Groundbreaking Brand Collaboration

As the first Arab American woman to compete in NASCAR, Breidinger frequently blends motorsport aesthetics with fashion in a way few racers have done before.

The latest partnership is not the first time she has teamed up with high-fashion brands. It only adds to Breidinger’s growing list of high-profile collaborations.

She’s previously worked with Victoria’s Secret and appeared in Savage X Fenty campaigns. Breidinger’s presence in the modeling world has made her a bridge between two seemingly distant industries, and she’s done it again.

Breidinger recently announced the news on X, revealing that the legendary New York fashion label Coach will serve as the primary sponsor for her truck.

“Proud to have @Coach on my truck for this weekend’s race at Michigan,” Breidinger wrote. “To be a part of their SoHo Sneaker Campaign and now have them on the truck is a dream. Grateful to work with brands who embrace me and my self-expression.”

Proud to have @Coach on my truck for this weekend’s race at Michigan. To be a part of their SoHo Sneaker Campaign and now have them on the truck is a dream. Grateful to work with brands who embrace me and my self-expression. #CoachNY #CourageToBeReal pic.twitter.com/a3aEPFQBFp

— Toni Breidinger (@ToniBreidinger) June 5, 2025

This isn’t even Breidinger’s first brush with Coach. The NASCAR driver and model had previously starred in the brand’s SoHo Sneaker Campaign, a nod to her role as both an athlete and fashion icon.

With this latest move, Breidinger has brought this iconic partnership onto the racing stage in bold, unmistakable style. Being the first Arab American woman to compete in NASCAR, Breidinger is already a rising face of inclusivity and a trailblazer in the sport.

MORE: Toni Breidinger’s Swimsuit Appearance Sparks Explosive NASCAR Fan Reactions

With her unique collaborations, she continues to blur the lines between speed, culture, and identity, one lap at a time. Breidinger also continues to redefine what it means to be a race car driver, showing the NASCAR community and world that speed and style don’t have to live in separate lanes.