INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Race Team Alliance chairman Rob Kauffman said Sunday the rest of NASCAR’s full-time teams should soon be added to the group that is working on issues facing the sport.
The RTA formed this month as an alliance of nine of NASCAR’s top teams. Kauffman met with other owners this weekend at Indianapolis Motor Speedway and says they are on board. The RTA wants to lower costs for NASCAR teams and create one voice on issues.
NASCAR Chairman Brian France this week said the RTA wasn’t necessary, and the sanctioning body believes listening “to one voice is just a bad idea.”
Kauffman declined to respond to the comment. He said he’s always had a good relationship with NASCAR officials and everyone has the same interest, which is to improve the sport.
“The stuff on the RTA side is actually going quite well,” Kauffman said. “We’re just focused on doing what we said we were going to do. Get organized, get things done and try and be productive. Don’t expect a lot of PR and excitement. Just doing what we said we were going to do. We’re cautiously optimistic we’re going to make some good progress. There’s a lot of potential.”
The RTA currently includes Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates, Hendrick Motorsports, Joe Gibbs Racing, Michael Waltrip Racing, Richard Childress Racing, Richard Petty Motor Sports, Roush Fenway Racing, Stewart-Haas Racing and Team Penske.
Despite NASCAR President Mike Helton’s dismissal of any animosity between the two sides, the RTA was informed all communication must go through NASCAR attorneys.
Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
