NASCAR files notice with court about offloading charter

NASCAR filed notice with the Western District of North Carolina on Monday that it intends to offload a charter to an undisclosed party for the 2026 season.

The notice is heavily redacted and therefore does not reveal who the team is that would receive the charter, nor the details around the deal. It is unclear whether NASCAR would be selling the charter or transferring it to the team for free. NASCAR did clarify that the charter being moved would not be one of those Stewart-Haas Racing sold to 23XI Racing or Front Row Motorsports. Instead, it would be one of those that NASCAR claims 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports have no ownership over since they did not sign the 2025 charter agreement.

“Under the Fourth Circuit’s mandate, there are currently 30 active Charters, two inactive Charters, and four non-issued charters,” NASCAR stated for the court. “(Redacted) have expressed interest in obtaining a Cup Series Charter to NASCAR executives multiple times over the past several years.”

However, NASCAR is legally prohibited from moving the charter until the court rules on the preliminary injunction request by 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports. The two organizations are still seeking to be recognized as charter teams for the remainder of this season.

There is a hearing scheduled for Thursday, August 28, on the matter. A decision is not expected to be issued the same day.

“Therefore,” the notice from NASCAR states, “NASCAR respectfully provides notice, pursuant to the Courts prior orders, that it plans to issue a Charter to (redacted) after the Court has had an opportunity to review this Notice and make such determinations as it deems appropriate.”

NASCAR has requested that the Court and all parties involved do not refer to the team interested in the charter by name during the Thursday hearing.