Final October, a gaggle representing a negotiating group for Cup homeowners outlined its efforts to current NASCAR with adjustments to its enterprise mannequin, which have been in the end rejected by the sanctioning physique.
The seven-point proposal – which the group declined to debate intimately on the time – was supplied up in anticipation of the upcoming expiration of present Cup Collection charters and NASCAR’s present TV deal, which each finish on the conclusion of the 2024 season.
The group mentioned NASCAR supplied a counter-proposal which included a “minimal enhance in income and the emphasis was on reducing prices dramatically.”
“The dialogue continues between NASCAR and (the negotiating committee). Numerous the identical points are nonetheless the identical points we’re working by,” RFK Racing president Steve Newmark, a member of the negotiating group, instructed Motorsport.com.
“There’s a mannequin that works for everyone which really helps take the game to the following degree. There’s simply a whole lot of items and we have now to determine how one can get there.
“The explanation I’ve a lot optimism that we will get a deal carried out is as a result of the game is rising. If we have been within the state of affairs like 5 years in the past the place the game was stagnated, it is perhaps harder to give you an entire new paradigm.”
Cole Custer, Stewart Haas Racing, HaasTooling.com Ford Mustang, Chase Elliott, Hendrick Motorsports, NAPA Auto Elements Chevrolet Camaro, Kevin Harvick, Stewart Haas Racing, Busch Mild Ford Mustang
Photograph by: Nigel Kinrade / NKP / Motorsport Images
Newmark mentioned an improved racing product mixed with elevated TV scores in latest seasons ought to assist produce a much bigger media deal.
“The sanctioning physique, the tracks, the groups, the drivers – you need to have all of them working collectively and rowing in the identical course,” he mentioned. “The problem proper now could be the groups, from an financial perspective, are struggling. Our monetary mannequin doesn’t work however the sport remains to be thriving.
“Due to that we all know there’s a path ahead to determine it out. It’s going to take much more work. It make take two steps backwards, one step ahead. It’s not lots completely different than what a whole lot of different sports activities have gone by.
“It’s just a bit however extra international to us due to the way in which this sport has been run for therefore lengthy. It’s one thing I might undoubtedly take note of within the subsequent few weeks.”
Along with Newmark, the opposite members of the negotiating group are Jeff Gordon, vice chairman and co-owner at Hendrick Motorsports, Dave Alpern, president of Joe Gibbs Racing; and Curtis Polk, Vice Chairman of Hornets Sports activities & Leisure and part-owner of 23XI Racing.
