Team Owner Roger Penske said that the "next big issue" NASCAR needs to address is cost reduction, and he "readily admits teams will be the first to balk," according to Jim Utter of MOTORSPORT.com. Penske, speaking last weekend at the IndyCar opener in St. Petersburg, said, "People have to give up things that maybe we think we’ve got a competitive advantage, we have to give up some of that stuff to get there. That’s always the case, someone thinks they’ve got an edge and don’t want to give it up.” Utter noted the creation of the charter system in the top series "added value to NASCAR team ownership." Penske: "Being able to lease them or sell them has worked. At least then you know you’re going to get a start." Meanwhile, Utter noted one of the ideas NASCAR and tracks are exploring this season in at least three weekends is "holding Cup series qualifying and the race on the same day." But Penske "may not be a big fan if the financial situation changes dramatically as a result." Penske: “We need to have that ‘show and tell’ (like garage tours), there’s no question. If we’re going to have a two-day show we need qualifying on a Saturday I think. I tell you one thing, if they start hurting our commercial value with the schedule, then you’ll see me start putting my hand up” (MOTORSPORT.com, 3/16).
