NASCAR has updated its Rule Book and the race eligibility rules as 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports lose their status as chartered teams.
According to Monday's rules bulletin, three main changes make it nearly impossible for each of the team's three cars to miss a race if more than 40 cars are on the entry list. Noah Gragson, Tyler Reddick, Bubba Wallace, Zane Smith, Todd Gilliland, and Riley Herbst should continue to make every race on the schedule even while racing without charters.
Rule 7.9.1.1.B. - "Four Open Teams will be eligible for starting grid positions based on the fastest single lap speed posted to each Open Team's vehicle in the first Qualifying round."
Rule 7.9.1.1.C. - "Up to six Open Teams will be eligible for starting grid positions based on the highest ranked Team Owner Points standings."
Rule 5.1.F. - "NASCAR, at its sole discretion, may elect to limit the number of entries for a race to 40. In such instances, Open Teams will be determined based on the Team Owner Points standings."
What does this mean? In past events on the Cup Series schedule, 36 spots on the starting grid went to the cars with charters. Four spots went to Open cars. If more than four Open cars showed up, the spots went to those who qualified the best. The others missed the race.
NASCAR also added an Open Exemption Provisional this season, which made it possible for a 41st vehicle to make the race. However, teams had to request this provisional well in advance. They also lost out on prize money, playoff eligibility, and other perks that went to the teams that made the race in a traditional way.
Now, however, the updated Rule Book alters qualifying and makes it slightly more similar to the form found in the Craftsman Truck Series and NASCAR Xfinity Series. If more Open entries show up, the teams with more owner points will still make the starting lineup even if they post slower qualifying laps.
This is a major change considering the ongoing legal battle between NASCAR and 23XI Racing/Front Row Motorsports. The two teams requested another preliminary injunction, which would keep them as chartered teams through Dec. 1 when trial begins.
With NASCAR updating the rules to make it harder for them to miss a race, the two teams could have a more difficult time proving that they will suffer immediate harm without the injunction. They have enough owner points to prevent them from missing any races.
Although they could still voice concerns about drivers and sponsors leaving the team due to language in their respective contracts.