2006 competition policies announced

NASCAR ANNOUNCES 2006 COMPETITION POLICIES
Multi-car teams, testing, tire leasing addressed

DAYTONA BEACH, FLA. -- The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing (NASCAR) announced today it is taking several steps to ensure the continued growth and popularity of the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series, including a program that will cap the number of cars under one ownership group; institute a new testing policy; and adopt a new tire leasing program.

The four-car ownership cap program starts in 2006 and NASCAR 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 financial consideration based upon the performance of the cars entered by the other car owners, or has any revenue sharing or ownership stake in the team.

Most of NASCAR's current car owners think the cap rule is important for the continued success and growth of the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series.

"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.

"The cap, the new testing procedure and the tire leasing program are in the best interest for the future of the sport," said France.

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."

Other owners expressed optimism regarding the impact of the new cap rule, including Felix Sabates, J.D. Gibbs, Richard Childress, Bill Davis, Richard Petty, Cal Wells, Robert Yates and the Wood Brothers.

"I think it will be good for the sport," said Childress. "Personally, I could never have gotten into the sport -- the way it is today -- like I did when I got in as a driver-car owner many years ago."

"There needs to be a cap," said Sabates. "I think it's the best thing that's happened in a long time."

"I think you're better off not having a handful of guys owning all the cars," said Gibbs.

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.

There will be six test locations that include Lowe's Motor Speedway, Daytona International Speedway, Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Richmond International Raceway, Homestead-Miami Speedway and Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

Testing in Daytona will be conducted January 9-11 (even-numbered cars) and January 16-18 (odd-numbered cars). The Las Vegas tests will be January 30-February 1.

All other dates will be announced at a later time.

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