Bubba Wallace told 23XI Racing he would 'explore seats with other teams' without chartered car

23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports were granted a preliminary injunction by the court today, in part because of Bubba Wallace. Wallace informed his team that, unless he had a chartered car for 2025, he would look into options with other teams.

Both 23XI and Front Row will race as chartered teams because of the injunction. NASCAR must also complete the sale of the Stewart-Haas Racing charters to the teams.

In his ruling, U.S. District Court Judge Kenneth Bell cited Bubba Wallace’s desire to explore other options as imminent harm. That is exactly what 23XI and FRM were trying to prove, in part, to get the injunction granted.

It wasn’t just Wallace. But he informed 23XI of his intention to reach out to other teams if he was not going to drive a chartered car.

“23XI’s contract with driver Riley Herbst similarly requires that Herbst be provided with a chartered car, as does Front Row’s contract with driver Noah Gragson,” the court wrote in its decision.

“Other drivers have expressed similarly urgent concerns. Driver Bubba Wallace informed 23XI that he needs to know how it intends to compete ‘immediately’ so that he can explore seats with other teams.”

That was deemed as imminent harm by the judge. So, we are going to see business as usual in the 2025 season. Barring a settlement, this lawsuit is moving forward. The next step would be discovery and depositions, statements from those involved. Possibly financial records.

Bubba Wallace, Tyler Reddick could have left 23XI Racing

So, why did the court rule in favor of 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports this time around? For starters, let’s remember this is not the original judge. The first one assigned to the case is no longer seeing over it. Different judges, different people, different opinions.

Also, 23XI and FRM submitted additional evidence. An affidavit from Joe Custer of Stewart-Haas and Jerry Freeze of Front Row about the purchase of the SHR charters as well as emails from drivers and sponsors.

Bubba Wallace was among the drivers who informed 23XI that he would need to have an answer regarding charters. Losing Wallace or Tyler Reddick or Riley Herbst would be harm to 23XI and its business. The same goes for Front Row and their drivers potentially leaving.

Now, Bubba Wallace doesn’t have to have plans to leave, but the fact he would be a free agent is a big deal. Sure, he doesn’t plan to leave at first, but if a big enough offer came his way, would that change his mind? Having a charter fulfills his contract and keeps him at 23XI.