It will cap the number of cars under a single ownership group, institute a new testing policy and adopt a new tyre-leasing programme.
The four-car ownership cap starts in 2006 and NASCAR says it will work with groups that control more than four cars to establish a reasonable timeline for compliance.
The four-car limit will extend to owners and any affiliate group, which includes situations where one or more of the car owners is entitled to receive, or actually receives, any revenue based on car performance.
“It’s a good move for the sport,” said car owner Roger Penske. “It’s important for the business model to remain pro-competitive for all owners. This decision will have a positive impact on our sport for years to come.”
NASCAR chairman Brian France said the new steps are a continuation of NASCAR’s pro-growth, pro-competition philosophy.
Jack Roush, owner of five cars, said he remains a critic of the cap, but added: “I’m committed to participate in this sport as long as I live. NASCAR has agreed to work with us to get us where we need to be and that’s what we’ll do.”
Also new for 2006 is a track testing policy that sets a schedule for when and where NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series tests are to be conducted. The scheduled tests will be the only opportunities teams will have to test at Nextel Cup tracks.
Teams will be able to schedule tests at facilities that do not host NASCAR NEXTEL Cup events.
