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Bubba Wallace reacts to 23XI taking stand against NASCAR-imposed charter deadline

JHby: Jonathan Howard09/07/24Jondean25
Bubba Wallace
Matthew O'Haren-USA TODAY Sports

Right now, there is a bit of drama between NASCAR and 23XI Racing. Bubba Wallace is stuck in the middle of it all without much he can do.

NASCAR told teams that last night was the hard deadline for them to sign the charter agreement most recently given to them. 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports held out and did not sign.

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Now, things are a big up in the air. Wallace spoke to the media today about the charter situation.

“I know my process has been kind of going hand in hand with the charter agreements,” Bubba Wallace said, via Bryan Nolen of Frontstretch. “So, it’s frustrating to see where we’re at, because that impacts my life, my livelihood and everything moving forward for my future.”

As a driver, Bubba Wallace is stuck in the middle here. He has no way to change things. Wallace and his teammate Tyler Reddick are not negotiating here. They have a deal with 23XI Racing and Toyota and their sponsors. Then there is the deal between 23XI and NASCAR, that’s a whole separate thing entirely.

So, what does all of this mean? It means that 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports are in for a hell of a fight. There have been accusations that teams were “coerced and threatened” to sign the agreement. Those threats reportedly included having charters pulled for not signing the agreement.

While this has been going on for many months, it feels like the intensity has really taken another step up.

Bubba Wallace in the middle of NASCAR, 23XI drama

There has been movement in the ongoing NASCAR charter negotiations and it sounds like there is going to be more drama. A number of teams have signed a deal with the sanctioning body, but there are still holdouts, as well as accusations of coercion and threats.

According to Bob Pockrass of FOX Sports, all the Cup Series teams have signed the charter agreement with NASCAR. All except for 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports. These are two teams that are looking to expand in the next year.

23XI Racing, Denny Hamlin, Michael Jordan, and Curtis Polk have all be very outspoken during this process. But now there is a serious accusation going around.

Jenna Fryer of the Associated Press reports she was told that teams were “coerced and threatened” to sign the charter agreement. She followed it up with another quote that put it into perspective.

“Sign or we will revoke your charters,” Fryer wrote on X.com, formerly known as Twitter, “can be scary language to a family business.”

NASCAR is playing hardball. Teams have started to cave. 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports are still standing defiant. Time will tell how long this goes on. With the playoff starting, this is the last thing NASCAR wanted.