“No more underfunded teams just running in the back” - NASCAR President hails Charter System’s effects amid ongoing lawsuit chaos

NASCAR President Steve Phelps has claimed that the sport's Charter System has led to an increase in the competitiveness on the grid, giving way to a fair chance for all participating teams. He also opined that any car on the grid is capable of winning a race under the right circumstances.

The Charter System was introduced in 2016 and was supposed to aid teams that were not sufficiently financed, guaranteeing entries into all the races of a Cup Series season. Speaking at the 5th Annual Race Industry Week (Day 2), Phelps said they have achieved more than what they had planned for.

Analyzing recent performances, he claimed that NASCAR has become more competitive than it was. In a YouTube video of the same uploaded by EPARTRADE, he said:

"This is arguably the most competitive form of Motorsports in the world. I do think I'll just speak to our own, you know, just for NASCAR I think the competition has never been better." (34:00 onwards)

"And just from the front of the grid to the back of the grid. Almost any team can win on any given Sunday. And I just don't ever remember in our history actually having that. And that's I think, you know, we as a sanctioning body are pleased with that."

He further claimed that there are no more underfunded teams on the grid that run at the back because of the Charter System. When a team has a Charter, it is guaranteed that the particular car will run in all of the races that season, which attracts more sponsors.

"I do think the charters and the Charter system has led to that. There are no more starting parks, there are no more, underfunded teams that are just running in the back. You just don't have that anymore and you see teams that were on the back that are really coming into the mid of the middle of the pack and even in you know fighting for top fives and top 10s. If I'm a race fan, I'm excited about that." (34:40 onwards)

NASCAR authorities found themselves amid lawsuit chaos after 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports accused them of monopolistic behavior. Both teams filed the lawsuit after the sport's authorities gave all the teams on the grid a deadline to sign the new Charter Agreement, which reportedly the teams did not completely agree with.

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Steve Phelps on NASCAR's "terrific" competition

NASCAR president Steve Phelps during the NASCAR Cup Series Championship race at Phoenix Raceway.- Source: Imagn

The 2024 season ended with Joey Logano winning the Cup Series championship. 16 different drivers won races including Harrison Burton with Wood Brothers Racing.

Steve Phelps claimed that this was one of the most competitive seasons in the history of NASCAR considering the close battles and the race wins.

"I always start with things on the racetrack and I don't think. Um, and you think about 2024, it certainly didn't disappoint. Um, I thought the racing was arguably the best racing that we've ever had. In our, in our history. And I don't think there's hyperbole in that at all. I mean, you have 3 of the closest finishes of all time top 7 3 in 1 year alone." (30:30 onwards)

He further mentioned that the playoffs had a great storyline and produced a "terrific" competition.

"Just the most compelling, tremendous story lines, but the racing was terrific. At every single race, uh in that 10 Race playoff system. So I was very happy with the on-track product."

Despite Phelps's statement, the playoff system was criticized by many fans after Joey Logano won the championship given his inconsistent form throughout the season.