Rick Hendrick was very trustworthy when requested about his motive for signing NASCAR’s new constitution settlement. Per Jenna Fryer of the Related Press, the proprietor of Hendrick Motorsports defined why he signed the brand new deal.
“I used to be simply drained,” Hendrick mentioned. Different house owners, most drivers and all followers doubtless really feel the identical method because the constitution deal has been an ongoing course of. Hendrick was one of many 13 house owners to signal the brand new settlement earlier than the playoff opener at Atlanta Motor Speedway. Two groups, 23XI Racing and Entrance Row Racing, didn’t signal the brand new settlement that comes after two years of negotiations.
In relation to the brand new constitution deal, groups wished 4 issues: a bigger share of income, a seat on the the desk for governance points, a lower on enterprise offers NASCAR does that use workforce or driver likeness, and charters changing into everlasting, in line with the Related Press. The ultimate provide didn’t embrace everlasting charters, and groups informed the AP that it was offered as a “take it or depart it ultimate provide.”
Extra on NASCAR constitution negotiations
Brad Keselowski, present driver and co-owner of RFK Racing, disputed the notion that groups felt “pressured” to signal. “It’s one among these agreements that’s solely good when all people’s just a bit bit jaded,” Keselowski mentioned. “I feel there’s issues clearly we want to have higher, however I feel to some extent, there’s items that we actually like, and there’s items not a lot. Nevertheless it’s onerous to make use of the phrase ‘truthful.’ I don’t know if I do know what meaning.”
In response to Fox Sports activities, groups have argued they deserve a much bigger share of the tv rights deal, a reported $1.1 billion deal that runs from 2025-2031 with FOX, NBC, Amazon, Warner Bros. and TNT Sports activities. Below the final deal, groups have been paid 25 % of the TV income via the race purse whereas NASCAR took 10 % and the tracks acquired 65 %.
Earlier than the 2024 season started, Hendrick mentioned he thinks a deal might be achieved “fairly quickly … as a result of it’s too vital to all people, NASCAR, the house owners and the tracks. It’s simply, we acquired to get it achieved.”
