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Report: Rob Kauffman ‘quite optimistic’ on charter system being done in 2016

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Rob Kauffman

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Speaking with the Daytona Beach News-Journal, Race Team Alliance chairman Rob Kauffman discussed the proposed charter system in the Sprint Cup Series, saying they are “quite optimistic we will have something in place for 2016.”

The NASCAR Media Tour came and went with some big announcements, but not among them was news of the finalization of a proposed charter system.

The reality of the franchise system for team owners has been inching closer and closer (and yes, even closer) over the last few months. But nothing is definite with three weeks remaining before the beginning of the 2016 season.

Kauffman could stand to gain depending on how the two charters that might belong to Michael Waltrip Racing, which he closed in November, would be distributed. The system is designed to guarantee teams that are “chartered” a measure of financial stability and security, essentially mimicking the franchising system in other professional sports.

“We’d like team ownership to (look like) that of baseball or football,” said Kauffman, who purchased a minority stake in Chip Ganassi Racing last year. “I think all the major issues have been ironed out at this stage and now it’s a matter of dotting the ‘I’s and crossing the ‘T’s and getting the paperwork sorted out.”

Kauffman said the RTA already has made an impact on the bottom line, saving teams “millions of dollars” in travel. The focus will shift in 2016 to reducing teams’ health insurance costs.

The entirety of the interview can be read here.

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