Winston & Strawn Secures Landmark Settlement for 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports in NASCAR Antitrust Trial

Winston & Strawn secured a transformative settlement on behalf of 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports in their high-profile antitrust litigation against NASCAR. Reached mid-trial in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of North Carolina, the agreement delivers long-term structural stability for all NASCAR Cup Series teams and creates the conditions for meaningful competitive and commercial growth across the sport.

Announced jointly by the parties, the resolution affirms a “fair and equitable framework for long-term participation in America’s premier motorsport,” ensuring a unified focus on advancing stock car racing for teams, partners, stakeholders, and—most importantly—fans. As part of the settlement, NASCAR will issue amendments to existing charter agreements incorporating updated terms, including a mutually agreed-upon form of “evergreen” charters.

In court, Winston partner Jeffrey Kessler told Judge Kenneth Bell that the parties had “positively settled this matter in a way that will benefit the industry going forward.”

Following the announcement in court, Jeffrey emphasized the broader significance of the resolution: “We believe it’s a settlement that’s going to grow this sport… and be great for the teams and for NASCAR, but most importantly for the fans. This was never about just 23XI or Front Row—it was about trying to do something that was great for everyone. And as part of this deal, we are going to have evergreen charters that will be available forever.”

The settlement follows eight days of testimony from team owners, NASCAR executives, and industry leaders, and restores the 23XI and Front Row charters for the 2026 season. It also reinforces the parties’ shared commitment to delivering world-class racing, enhanced sponsorship and partner activation opportunities, and sustainable growth for future generations.

The settlement was covered by the following media outlets:

• “NASCAR settles federal antitrust case filed by 2 teams,” ESPN
• “NASCAR, 23XI and Front Row Reach Settlement Ending Antitrust Trial,” Sports Business Journal
• “NASCAR settles federal antitrust case, gives all teams the permanent charters they wanted,” Associated Press
• “NASCAR reaches settlement with 23XI, Front Row to end year-long legal saga,” The Athletic
• “NASCAR lawsuit ends with settlement with Michael Jordan's race team,” USA Today
• “NASCAR reaches settlement in antitrust lawsuit with Michael Jordan's racing team and Front Row Motorsports,” CBS Sports
• “NASCAR Inks Midtrial Antitrust Deal With Teams,” Law360
• “NASCAR, Michael Jordan’s Racing Team Settle Antitrust Suit,” Bloomberg Law