Tony Stewart stood in front of a packed house at Eldora Speedway, his heart swelling with pride……….

Nov 8 (Reuters) – Pro basketball legend Michael Jordan and other stock-car team owners that sued Nascar for a greater share of racing revenues failed to persuade a U.S.

judge to force the racing league to guarantee their drivers key slots in the upcoming 2025 season.
In a ruling, opens new tab on Friday, U.S.

District Judge Frank Whitney said the team owners had raised only speculative fears they would lose revenue and drivers if Nascar forbids them from remaining “charter” members while they pursue their lawsuit in federal court in Charlotte, North Carolina.

“Although plaintiffs allege they are on the brink of irreparable harm, the 2025 racing season is months away — the stock cars remain in the garage,” Whitney wrote in his order, denying the plaintiffs’ request for a preliminary injunction against Nascar.

Jeffrey Kessler, who represents the team owners, said in a statement that they were disappointed by the ruling and planned to appeal.

“My clients will move forward to race in 2025 and continue to fight for a more fair and equitable system in Nascar that complies with antitrust law,” Kessler said.
Lawyers for Nascar had no immediate comment.

Front Row Motorsports and 23XI Racing, co-owned by Jordan, sued Nascar and its chief executive Jim France in October, accusing them of violating U.S. antitrust law by imposing restrictive conditions on teams.

Nascar monopolized the market for premier stock-car racing, allowing it to keep a greater share of profits, according to the lawsuit.

23XI and Front Row accused Nascar of acquiring premier racetracks and implementing policies that restrict teams from racing for Nascar rivals.