Or maybe those races wouldn't be relevant, since NASCAR was under orders to treat the teams as chartered. NASCAR didn't do it on it's own initiative. Why get credit for something you had to be forced to do?
The rules explicitly allow non-chartered teams to attempt to qualify, so NASCAR didn't allow them anything beyond what the other open teams got.
I do think that the races 23FRM ran under the court order to be treated as chartered teams would be relevant.
I read them before I posted. Jordan could give the Frances solid gold medals to show his appreciation for what they've done, but that doesn't affect whether what they've done is legal or not. Napoleon is said to have given a lieutenant a medal for winning a battle, then having him shot for...
The subject of 'Growing the sport' is itself moving the goalposts. The question isn't why NASCAR took actions, it's whether they were illegal. That's probably why it isn't an acceptable defense. I can fill in a wetland to build a factory and provide hundreds of jobs but it's still a violation...