Cavin: NASCAR change boosts stability — but undercuts competition

Slice it as you wish. NASCAR instituted a 36/4 rule Tuesday.

In effect, the 36 entries deemed most valuable to stock car racing were guaranteed starting positions for all Sprint Cup Series races over the next nine years (the length of NASCAR’s television deal). The charter system, as it’s called, is being hailed as something the sport badly needs to create stability, financial and otherwise, for its teams, and that’s true.

Those 36 entries will get plenty of perks, like more money from the sanctioning body, and the owners of those cars will be part of a council designed to help NASCAR shape the rules. That’s also good as it keeps NASCAR in touch with people investing millions to provide NASCAR’s content.

While all of that is good, it also is familiar.

While at the helm of Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Tony George tried a similar structure at the start of the 1996 season when he famously orchestrated an open-wheel environment whereby 25 entrants supporting his new series — the Indy Racing League — would be guaranteed starting positions in that year’s 33-car Indianapolis 500. George was roundly vilified for the 25/8 plan, and rightfully so. So why was there no such outrage Tuesday when NASCAR announced that 90 percent of its field will be composed of teams that play nice with the home office?

Of course, there’s nothing wrong with working together; everyone in an industry tied to corporate backing should do just that. But one layer of what’s supposed to be spirited competition has been removed from the equation.

NASCAR allows franchise system to give team owners value

If a dozen noncharter entries show up for next week’s Daytona 500, most are going home without seeing the green flag and those that remain will get a smaller piece of the pie than the regulars. That will be true at the next race, too.

The statements pouring into this writer’s inbox Tuesday suggest most are happy about that, but let’s remember the senders of many of these supportive notes are paid by longtime team owners, and everyone understands why they’re happy: They’ve just been handed golden tickets because they can now buy, sell and transfer these shares like a Wall Street trader.

Again, not there’s anything wrong with independent contractors seeking stability for their futures. Ricky Rudd, Ray Evernham and Michael Waltrip are just some of the men who had NASCAR teams and worked their tails off to find sponsorship, pay employees and challenge the Hendricks, Roushes and Penskes at every opportunity. But when money got too tight, they sold and got out for what surely was pennies on the dollar.

In truth, all motor sports teams need the kind of assurances NASCAR just handed out. What does Dale Coyne Racing have if its owner can’t work IndyCar deals the way Dale Coyne does? Other than equipment and a facility, what equity does A.J. Foyt Racing have in IndyCar if proper funding doesn’t come together?

If John Force Racing closes down, drag racing’s show goes on. Same for Michael Shank’s sports car team or Tony Stewart’s sprint car team.

Late last year, NASCAR locked down its 26 tracks with contracts spanning the next five years, and the charter system is just the next step. Again, stability is good for everyone, including the fans who can count on the show to go on with stronger characters.

But let’s slice Tuesday’s news as it is: Team owners got their share of the action.

Email IndyStar reporter Curt Cavin at curt.cavin@indystar.com. Follow him on Twitter: @curtcavin.