Denny Hamlin doesn't expect Tyler Reddick to opt out
The 2024 regular season champion would be a prized free agent
Tyler Reddick, 23XI Racing Toyota, Denny Hamlin, Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota
Photo by: Logan Riely / Getty Images
Technically speaking, Tyler Reddick has an opt-out clause in his NASCAR Cup Series contract with 23XI Racing that he could execute if his car does not have an active charter attached to it.
That opt-out was successfully publicized in December by 23XI Racing and Front Row to receive a preliminary injunction from the Western District of North Carolina that forced NASCAR to recognize the two teams as if they were chartered.
The Fourth District of Appeals overturned that decision over the summer, the judges stating that the two teams were not entitled to their cake and eat it too, regarding receiving all the benefits of a charter agreement that they did not sign before suing the Sanctioning Body on antitrust grounds.
As a result of the appeals decision, and the district court denying a new injunction request made over the past two months, 23XI and Front Row will not have de facto charter status for the remainder of this season.
Reddick has the option to get out of his contract with 23XI Racing but Denny Hamlin, who owns the organization alongside sporting icon Michael Jordan and Curtis Polk, is not anticipating that outcome.
“We have him under contract,” Hamlin said on Saturday during a media availability on Saturday at WorldWide Technology Raceway. “I think he probably feels as confident as we are for December. I’m not sure.”
December refers to the antitrust lawsuit trial scheduled for the first day of the final month of the year.
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