Thoughts on the new Nascar Charter system?

Info on new system

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it is expected NASCAR will have a fixed number of charters for Sprint Cup teams -- 36 is the most common number to be rumored. Each of the 36 charter holders will be guaranteed starting spots in every race. Sprint Cup fields will be cut down from 43 to 40 cars per race, with the final four slots open to non-charter cars.

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First off, they can guarantee their sponsors that they will compete in every race.

Secondly, it gives them something of value they can sell.

Right now, if a race team loses its major sponsors, it typically goes out of business. And when it does, the only value it has is its race shop -- assuming the team owns the shop instead of renting it -- and the leftover cars, tools and parts, which it is lucky if it can sell for 20 cents on the dollar.

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From NASCAR’s point of view, a charter system would help attract new owners, something that hopefully will keep the sport thriving. Joe Gibbs, Roger Penske, Jack Roush and Richard Childress are all in their 70s, and Rick Hendrick is in his 60s. The only new owner to come in during the past decade and win a championship is Tony Stewart.

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My takeaway is that this will protect the owners, and help them in the future secure sponsorship, which benefits the drivers also. I like reducing the field from 43 to 40.

What I don't like is the transition into the Charter. Michael Waltrip Racing is no longer a company, but yet gets 2 charters that they can sell to the highest bidder. They have been scrutinized over the years for rules violations, go bankrupt, and then essentially get bailed out by this new system. Meanwhile, Joe Gibbs Racing has a driver that was in the Chase last year (Carl Edwards) who does not receive a charter. Also, Kurt Busch isn't guaranteed a spot either. Seems like they could have done a little better job on the transition into the new system.