CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) – NASCAR has agreed on a franchise-like system with its team owners, one in which owning a team will now provide actual value.
The new system creates 36 “charters” that guarantee revenue and a starting position in what will now be a 40-car field.
The charters are designed to give team owners something of value to offer potential investors and buyers. Should an owner no longer want to be in NASCAR, the charter itself can be sold. Currently, owners only have old cars and equipment to sell away if a team closes.
The 36 charters went to owners whose cars have attempted every race since 2013. The owners can keep the charters and field a car this year, or sell them to the highest bidder.