Although NASCAR drivers participate in races individually, many are teamed with other drivers. Each team may have up to four different vehicles, most of which come from the same manufacturer. Toyota, Ford, and Chevrolet are the three most popular automakers. A team’s cars from the same manufacturer will frequently cooperate with other teams’ vehicles from the same manufacturer. Seventeen teams play in the NASCAR Cup Series. The most well-known teams include Joe Gibbs Racing, Stewart-Haas Racing, and Hendrick Motorsports. A team is permitted to compete in every NASCAR national series, even though a NASCAR owner typically owns just one team.
A NASCAR race in 2016 had 40 vehicles instead of the regular 43. A charter structure for racing teams was also implemented at the same time by the organization. For the NASCAR Cup Series, 36 unique charters were given out under the new method. A charter ensures that the owner will field at least one vehicle in the NASCAR Cup Series point events. Additionally, the charters can be leased to other parties or exchanged from one club to another. NASCAR took this choice to strengthen the entity’s economic standing and raise the value of each racing team, particularly in the eyes of investors. The original charters were given to the teams regularly participating in most races.
Only 40 drivers advance to the Daytona 500 race after 43 compete in the qualifying stages. But entry into the event is assured for the 36 charter drivers. Each of the remaining seven non-charter drivers is eligible to fill one of the four available seats in the race. Each driver begins the race by completing a timed lap around the Daytona International Speedway. The top two drivers officially earn a spot on the starting line for the race. The other drivers compete in the Bluegreen Vacation Duels after the qualifying laps are finished to decide their positions in the race. The Duels are divided into two 150-mile races with 60 laps each.