NASCAR Sticks it to Roush© Thomas M. Sampson
Oct 9, 2005
NASCAR is sticking it to Roush Racing, and in turn may end up sticking it to itself. Roush Racing has five major corporate deals with sponsorships on its Cup Series teams; Roush also competes in the Busch Series and Craftsman Truck Series, with several corporate sponsors under contract. Owned by Jack Roush, Roush Racing is the largest racing entity in NASCAR, a corporate giant itself, both in size and competition. Its five major teams in Cup Series competition include the 2004 season's Cup Champion, winner of last season's inaugural Chase for the Championship, Kurt Busch, driver of the #97 Sharpies/Rubbermaid/Irwin sponsored Ford. Roush also boasts the 2003 Cup Series Champion, Matt Kenseth, driver of the #17 DeWalt sponsored Ford. Veteran Mark Martin, who has placed second in the Cup Championship four times, pilot's Roush's #6 Viagra sponsored Ford, while Greg Biffle, a former Craftsman Truck Series Champion drives Roush's #16 National Guard/Subway sponsored Ford. Last, but certainly not least is Carl Edwards, first year driver on the old standby #99 Ford team, sponsored now by Office Depot and World Financial Group.
That's quite a stable of race drivers, and they're all competing this season for the championship, that's what has NASCAR so rankled!
NASCAR CEO Brian France has recently stated that serious plans are underway to limit the amount of teams that an owner can enter into Cup Series competition. He didn't say how many teams would be allowed to compete, nor did he say when these newly designed rules would go into effect.
Jack Roush isn't happy with NASCAR's announcement, and claims he hasn't been consulted as to any ramifications concerning contracts with sponsors and drivers. If he has contracted to enter a team into competition in 2007 with a certain driver and sponsor, then he is legally bound to do so. NASCAR can set its rules as it pleases; it's Roush who will have to change up his organization, along with possibly Ray Evernham Motorsports and Hendrick Motorsports. If a three team ownership limit is set, both Hendrick and Evernham will have to also do an immediate change up of their organizational structures. If NASCAR sets the limit at four teams, then it would only be addressing Roush, who could complain in a court action that he was being unfairly singled out because his teams were winning championships. Other teams have had the opportunity to build up to be as solid as Roush Racing. It isn't Jack Roush's fault that they haven't done so.
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