It has already been a hectic week in the NASCAR world. From a wild racing weekend on the streets of Chicago, to some major breaking news stories. This is the NASCAR News Flash for July 7th through the 12th.
23XI and Front Row Denied Rehearing, Clash Returning to Bowman Gray and More: NASCAR News Flash
There were plenty of crazy moments in the closing moments in Chicago. You had quite the drama between several different drivers. Including a heated exchange between Joey Logano and Ross Chastain. That, however, might not be the biggest news of the week. 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports received some not-so-great news. Not to mention, the Clash will return to the ‘Madhouse’ for 2026.
23XI and Front Row Motorsports Rehearing Denied, Won’t Be Chartered Teams Come Dover
While there have been plenty of headlines surrounding 23XI and FRM’s standing as chartered race teams this season. They will have to face a real reality come next week at Dover. A massive bombshell dropped for both teams this week. The Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals denied the teams’ request for a rehearing in their lawsuit against the Sport.
That now means, as early as the Dover Race Weekend, both teams’ three cars will have to qualify their way into the races as open cars. Affecting drivers Bubba Wallace (No. 23), Tyler Reddick (No. 45), and Riley Herbst (No. 35) from 23XI. Noah Gragson (No. 4), Todd Gilliland (No. 34), and Zane Smith (No. 38) from FRM are also in a tough situation.
It would also mean that FRM and the 23XI team, co-owned by Michael Jordan and Denny Hamlin, would make less money than the chartered teams. It also begs the question of what becomes of those six charters in the future.
In a statement from Jeffery Kessler, Attorney for both teams in this case, cited the disappointment in the lack of a full rehearing, and that the teams are still committed to competing every week.
#NASCAR … Statement from Jeffrey Kessler, attorney for 23XI Racing and Front Roe Motorsports l, on decision by 4th Circuit Court of Appeals to deny rehearing for those teams to keep chartered status …
“We are disappointed by the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals decision to…
— Dustin Long (@dustinlong) July 9, 2025
” We are disappointed by the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals’ decision to deny our request for a full rehearing,” Kessler said. ” This decision has no bearing on the strength of our antitrust case, which we look forward to presenting at trial. We are committed to racing this season as we continue to fight for more competitive and fair terms for all teams to ensure the future of the sport, and remain fully confident in our case.”
At this point, it pretty much makes all six drivers expendable in a way. Each has proven to be a very capable driver, so it will be interesting to see what happens over the next several weeks. It certainly makes things much more difficult for all who are battling for the 2025 NASCAR playoffs at this rate.
Clash Returns to Bowman Gray for 2026
In a statement shared on Wednesday, NASCAR officials announced that the return of the Cook Out Clash exhibition race. The first race of the 2026 NASCAR season will once again be at the historic Bowman Gray Stadium. Joey Dennewitz, the NASCAR Regional’s Managing Director was happy to announce the return of the event for the second-straight year.
” We wrote a new chapter in the storied history of motorsports at Bowman Gray Stadium with the Cook Out Clash this year,” Dennewitz said. ” As NASCAR’s first weekly race track, we are proud to bring the 2026 Cook Out Clash back to the original home to grassroots racing. Thanks to the City of Winston-Salem and Winston-Salem State University for their continued partnership at ‘The Madhouse.'”
The first run their this season did not disappoint, and it saw NASCAR’s Most Popular Driver, Chase Elliott, emerge victorious. Which made him a perfect way for NASCAR to promote the return in a promotional video on Social Media.
At a place that remembers everything, we're writing history you can't forget.
The @nascarclash returns to The Madhouse in 2026! pic.twitter.com/AmV20IxdMA
— NASCAR (@NASCAR) July 9, 2025
Logano vs Chastain Rivalry Should Be Fun
A very heated exchange occurred following Sunday’s race in Chicago. Ross Chastain and Joey Logano had a bit of a run-in in the closing laps of the race, and the pair exchanged words after the event. Though you couldn’t make out exactly what was said, during their moment of talking to each other. After Logano walked away, he claimed Chastain admitted to wrecking him on purpose and called for Ross to be fined, to the media that was walking with him.
Joey Logano not happy with Chastain#NASCAR #GrantPark165 pic.twitter.com/lwXMu6LKuy
— Dalton Hopkins (@PitLaneCPT) July 6, 2025
It also appears that Chastain’s onboard camera and audio caught him admitting he did it on purpose. NASCAR did announce there will be no penalties for rough driving from Chicago, so Joey will just have to get even with Ross. It just seems like stubborn drivers butting heads in all reality. Which should make for a fun rest of the season for the pair.
“He admitted it! He admitted he wrecked me! Which means he should get fined if he wrecked me on purpose!”@joeylogano talked about his convo with Ross Chastain #NASCAR #GrantPark165 pic.twitter.com/syQ9vpBd45
— Dalton Hopkins (@PitLaneCPT) July 6, 2025
Plenty of storylines as NASCAR heads to Wine Country and Sonoma Raceway.
Read Next: What Future Do Street Courses Have In NASCAR?
Main Photo: Sean Gardner, Getty Images
Recording Date: 2/2/2025
