NASCAR announced significant changes Tuesday in its business model designed to improve financial stability by establishing a “charter system” for teams.

The nine-year deal will grant NASCAR Cup Series charters to 36 teams, cut Sprint Cup fields from 43 to 40 cars and establish a Team Owner Council that will have a voice in industry decisions.

“Today represents a landmark change to the business model of team ownership in NASCAR,” CEO and Chairman Brian France said. “The charter agreements provide nine years of stability for NASCAR and the teams to focus on growth initiatives with our track partners, auto manufacturers, drivers and sponsors.”

The owner of each charter — think of it as a franchise — will have a guaranteed entry into each Cup Series points race. The final four spots will be determined weekly by so-called “open” team owners.

The field reduction won't affect the competitive balance. Cars that qualified at the back of the pack have historically been field fillers that rarely completed a race.

Teams that fielded cars regularly since 2013 have been granted charters. Hendrick Motorsports has the most (four charters). Stewart-Haas Racing will have three but does not have a charter for the No. 41 car (Kurt Busch) because he came on board after 2013. Joe Gibbs Racing is in the same situation (three charters, four cars) with Carl Edwards and the No.?19 team. Owners can keep charters or sell them to the highest bidder.

The system is intended to give teams more value to potential investors and buyers while allowing teams to count on more predictable revenue. The industry will remain sponsorship-driven, accounting for about three-fourths of a team's revenues.

There are two charters on the open market now, both belonging to Michael Waltrip Racing, which folded after last season. The most likely buyers are Stewart-Haas and Joe Gibbs because of their investments in non-chartered rides.

Gordon goes VIP: Don't fret if you're not invited to Jeff Gordon's VIP party. Only 200 folks will snag an invitation to the Fox Sports and Sports Illustrated party that will air at 9 p.m. on Feb.?20, the night before the Daytona 500. Fox is airing a cross-promotional deal involving the race and the SI swimsuit issue, which comes out Feb. 15.

“The Daytona 500 is such a huge event, it deserves a great party to kick the season off,” Gordon said.

Stenhouse, Mears Unlimited: The lineup for the Sprint Unlimited on Saturday night got shuffled with the absence of Tony Stewart (injury) and Gordon (retirement). Ricky Stenhouse Jr. and Casey Mears will join the 25-driver field for the 75-lap exhibition race.

Other drivers include Danica Patrick (former Daytona 500 pole winner), Dale Earnhardt Jr. (race winner) and Aric Almirola and Kyle Larson (points). The race will air at 8 p.m. on Fox.