Posted: July-07-2014 at 8:04am | IP Logged	Tweet

Breaking News: Just announced this morning

A group of nine multi-car teams participating in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series (NSCS) announced today they have formed a collaborative business association called the Race Team Alliance (RTA).

The stated purpose of the organization is to create an open forum for the teams to explore areas of common interest and to work collaboratively on initiatives to help preserve, promote, and grow the sport of stock car racing. The organization intends to open up its membership to all full time NSCS teams in the very near future.

The following teams are the executive members of the RTA: Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates, Hendrick Motor Sports, Joe Gibbs Racing, Michael Waltrip Racing, Richard Childress Racing, Richard Petty Motor Sports, Roush Fenway Racing, Stewart-Haas Racing and Team Penske.

In providing a vehicle for the teams to work together, the organization creates for the first time a single entity to engage with stakeholders on creative ways to market and experience the power of the sport’s teams and drivers. As part of its focus, the RTA also plans to explore innovative ways to harness the combined purchasing power and scale of the teams’ operations to drive efficiencies in costs.

Rob Kauffman, co-owner of Michael Waltrip Racing, has been elected the first chair of the RTA.

Posted: July-07-2014 at 8:09am | IP Logged	Tweet

Yep ... the nine super teams have formed a "buyer's club" to get better pricing on parts.   LOL

I see this as the beginning of the move to a 36-car field for Sprint Cup events which will consist of nine 4-car teams ... eliminating the "riff-raff" .. and creating that exclusive franschise group.

...and one more step toward totally empty grandstands and no TV audience.