NASCAR, Team Owners Discussing How To Improve Long-Term Equity In Sport

NASCAR and team owners have had "discussions on ways that teams can have more long-term value," whether that is through "franchising or NASCAR offering a select number of licenses that guarantee starting spots remains to be determined," according to Bob Pockrass of ESPN.com.

Asked Sunday about possible '16 franchise or license models, Michael Waltrip Racing co-Owner and Race Team Alliance Chair Rob Kauffman said, "What I can say is both NASCAR and the teams recognize that the teams building up some kind of long-term equity for participating in the sport, year in and year out and putting on the show, is a good thing."

Pockrass noted from '05-12, NASCAR "tried to give teams at least some racing security by guaranteeing the top 35 in the owners standings each week a starting spot," but that value "was dependent on there being competition to make the 43-car field."

Among the hurdles to implementing the system "would be determining how much tenure a team must have had in the sport and how much of a fee an owner would pay."

Even with a "franchise or a license to race, teams would need sponsorship to remain a viable entity." But that "at least would give owners something to sell if they wanted to get out of the sport or possibly increase interest from outside investors" ESPN.com