NASCAR’s executive decisions have shaken up the upcoming 2025 Daytona 500, as two crew chiefs have faced ejection due to serious rule infringements. Chris Lawson from Front Row Motorsports and Billy Plourde of Rick Ware Racing were removed from their positions after it was discovered that their cars employed improper weight modifications. Despite these setbacks, drivers Todd Gilliland and Cody Ware will continue to participate in the race as chartered entrants.
The disqualification of Lawson and Plourde follows an intensive pre-race inspection that revealed their respective teams’ vehicles—the No. 34 Ford Mustang driven by Gilliland and the No. 51 Ford Mustang of Ware—failed to comply with NASCAR’s stringent regulations concerning weight distribution.
NASCAR maintains rigorous standards regarding vehicle modifications to ensure fair competition. Attempts to gain an advantage through illegal means can lead to severe consequences, including suspensions and hefty fines for the involved personnel.
In light of this unexpected leadership change, both teams quickly sought new crew chiefs to fill the void. Kevyn Rebolledo, an accomplished engineer affiliated with Team Penske, will take over for Lawson at Front Row Motorsports. Rebolledo has previously worked with the No. 34 team but brings limited experience as a Cup Series crew chief.
Meanwhile, Rick Ware Racing has enlisted veteran crew chief Tommy Baldwin Jr. to replace Plourde. With over two decades of experience in NASCAR, Baldwin’s extensive background includes collaborations with various teams at the Cup level, making him a valuable asset as the No. 51 team heads into the high-stakes environment of the Daytona 500.
NASCAR Lawsuit: 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports Take Action
Around the same time, a significant legal dispute has surfaced between NASCAR and two of its teams: 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports. Both teams lodged a lawsuit against NASCAR, alleging violations of antitrust laws and claiming that the new charter agreement restricts their ability to compete fairly. Filed in October 2024, this legal challenge has unfolded amidst the backdrop of the 2025 Daytona 500 Speedweeks.
The controversy ignited when NASCAR introduced a new charter system, mandating teams to sign by September 6, 2024, or risk forfeiting their charters. Both 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports deemed these conditions unjust, alleging that the charter agreement was monopolistic under the Sherman Antitrust Act. In a statement shared with USA TODAY Sports, the teams expressed their growing frustrations:
“[The] France family and NASCAR are monopolistic bullies. And bullies will continue to impose their will to hurt others until their targets stand up and refuse to be victims. That moment has now arrived.”
The legal proceedings intensified on November 4, 2024, when the two teams sought an injunction to continue racing without signing the new charter agreement. Initially denied by Judge Frank Whitney, the request saw a change of fortune on December 18, when Judge Kenneth D. Bell selected to issue an injunction, allowing both racing teams to utilize their 2024 charters. Notably, Judge Bell described NASCAR as having monopoly power within stock car racing:
“NASCAR fully controls which race teams can compete at the highest level of stock car racing — effectively, it has a 100 (percent) market share.”
Further complications arose when Judge Bell ruled on December 23 that Front Row Motorsports could acquire a third charter from Stewart-Haas Racing, while 23XI Racing would need to submit a separate motion for approval.
On January 10, 2025, Judge Bell rejected NASCAR’s attempt to dismiss the lawsuit altogether. Furthermore, the court denied NASCAR’s demand for both teams to post a substantial $10 million bond per car as a contingency in case they succeeded in their case. NASCAR subsequently appealed these decisions to the U.S. Court of Appeals, criticizing Judge Bell’s rulings as an overreach:
“These injunctions misuse the judicial power to force NASCAR to treat its litigation adversaries as its business partners and confidants, undermining the mutual trust that has fueled NASCAR’s growth and success.”
The legal saga continues, with 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports required to file their response to NASCAR’s appeal by March 14. NASCAR’s counter-reply is due by April 12, with a hearing expected in May. Should their appeals be unsuccessful, a jury trial is anticipated to commence in December.