23XI Racing is fighting an ongoing legal battle with NASCAR but Bubba Wallace won the Brickyard 400 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Sunday in a huge moment for the team
13:46 ET, 29 Jul 2025Updated 13:47 ET, 29 Jul 2025
Michael Jordan and 23XI remain embroiled in an ugly legal battle with NASCAR(Image: Getty)
23XI Racing was hit with a stark reminder of their legal woes with NASCAR as Bubba Wallace cruised into Victory Lane at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
Wallace ended his 100-race drought by outpacing Kyle Larson to win the Brickyard 400 on Sunday, with his emotional win captured in 10 photos. After his commanding win, the 31 year old driver shared details of a congratulatory call from 23XI co-owner Michael Jordan.
“He was just so proud,” Wallace recounted Jordan’s words. “I said, ‘I wish you were here for it.’ He was like, he’s going to have a drink or two for me tonight. So we’ll be celebrating together in spirit.”
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Despite the victory, 23XI is currently operating as an “open” team without a charter. As a result, it faces a financial disadvantage, earning significantly less race revenue than chartered teams, which benefit from guaranteed spots and media rights revenue sharing.
While exact numbers are not made public, 23XI Racing’s overall payout from Wallace’s win would have been lower than if it had raced as a chartered team as it counts the cost of recent lawsuit rulings.
In October, 23XI and Front Row Motorsports owner Bob Jenkins jointly sued NASCAR and CEO Jim France in North Carolina federal court, challenging what they claim are “anti-competitive” charter agreements that act like franchises.
Last month, the team’s concerns intensified when the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals reversed a preliminary injunction that had permitted them to compete as a chartered team this season.
Compounding their troubles, a U.S. District Judge denied the team’s request for a temporary restraining order to stop NASCAR from stripping their chartered status. However, in a recent decision, 23XI was assured of spots for the remainder of this year’s regular season.
Bubba Wallace secured a memorable win in the Brickyard 400(Image: Getty)
After clinching his first victory at one of the prestigious crown jewel races, Wallace expressed gratitude towards his colleagues at 23XI for their support amid tough times. “Oh my gosh, man. I’m just so proud of this team,” he exclaimed.
“That adrenaline rush is crazy because I’m coming off that right now. And I am worn out. But I just want to thank everybody behind me right here. All these guys, all these men and women at Airspeed for making this possible.
“I don’t see my wife and my kid, but welcome to Victory Lane, Becks. That’s pretty cool. To overcome so much, thank you. And to put these people here in Victory Lane, that’s what it’s about. It’s about these people that continue to push in me, believe in me. And man, just so proud. I appreciate all you guys. Thank you.”
Reflecting on the significance of his win, Wallace said: “Unbelievable. To win here at the Brickyard – knowing how big this race is, knowing all the noise that’s going on in the background – to set that all aside is a testament to these people here on this 23 team. It’s been getting old running on the cut line.”