This past Saturday, 13 Cup Series teams signed NASCAR ‘s final charter offer ahead of the sanctioning body’s midnight deadline.
The two teams who did not sign were 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports. Dale Earnhardt Jr., speaking on “ The Dale Jr. Download ” this week, said he was surprised that more teams didn’t join 23XI and Front Row in holding out longer.
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“I thought that the teams would hold out longer,” Earnhardt said. “I guess I was a bit surprised that they signed. Didn’t see that coming, but I felt the teams would hold out longer. Apparently, the message was clear from NASCAR to these teams that signed that this is it. Take it or leave it.”
Teams were presented with the offer at 6 p.m. ET Friday and given just six hours to make a decision. Jenna Fryer of the Associated Press reported that teams were “ coerced and threatened ” to sign the charter agreement.
Denny Hamlin, 23XI co-owner, has been open about his frustration with how negotiations have gone over the past two years, so it’s hardly a surprise that they did not agree to NASCAR’s final offer.
23XI Racing explains decision not to sign NASCAR charter offer
“23XI decided to not meet a NASCAR-imposed deadline last night to sign Charter agreements for its two cars for 2025-2031,” the team said in a statement . “23XI’s position, as stated in a letter to NASCAR, is that we did not have an opportunity to fairly bargain for a new Charter contract. We notified NASCAR what issues needed to be addressed, in writing, at the deadline.
“We are interested in engaging in constructive discussions with NASCAR to address these issues. And move forward in a way that comes to a fair resolution, while strengthening the sport we all love. At 23XI Racing, we remain committed to competing at the highest level while also standing firm in our belief that NASCAR should be governed by fair and equitable practices.”
Trackhouse owner Justin Marks responds to reports teams were ‘forced’ to sign NASCAR charter agreement
One of the 13 teams to sign was Trackhouse Racing, which will field three full-time charters in 2025. Team owner Justin Marks said Monday he was ready to accept the day NASCAR said, “this is it.” That day came this past weekend at Atlanta ahead of the Cup Series playoff opener. While there are some things in the agreement Marks doesn’t like, he ultimately felt there was enough in there that he can “build a business around.”
“I think everybody can interpret it in their own way,” Marks said on SiriusXM NASCAR Radio . “For me, regardless of how you wanna build a narrative around it, ultimately, it’s NASCAR’s court. And they said that ‘We are done negotiating here. This is the deal. It’s not gonna change. This is the deal that’s on the table.’ And ultimately, we have to make a decision. And I looked at that and said, ‘Well, I’m not going anywhere, so we’re gonna sign it.’ So, you can interpret that anyway that you want.
“Every team and team owner has their own relationship with NASCAR and mine, the philosophy of mine is always coming from a place of partnership and collaboration. So, I don’t necessarily feel like it was that way.”
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