How do NASCAR drivers go about getting their car numbers asssigned to them?

NASCAR owns the numbers.


Team owners LEASE them from NASCAR. Numbers not being used are leased sometimes. For example, Richard Childress continues to lease the number 3.


Drivers have really no say. It is up to the car owner. If a car owner wants a number being used (or not used and just leased) by another team, NASCAR allows them to negotiate amongst themselves.How do NASCAR drivers go about getting their car numbers asssigned to them?
The teams purchase the rights for the use of the numbers each year before Daytona testing from NASCAR.


As what most learned during the whole 'Free the 8' campaign the teams don't own the numbers or the rights to them, but it is usually an understanding that teams don't steal a number from someone who normally uses it.


For example no one would purchase the #24 to use (in effect taking it away from Hendrick) or no one would purchase the #3 (from Richard Childress (although despite its non-use since 2001 he still purchases the rights).


The #88 was granted to Hendrick through an agreement with previous holders Yates Racing to be allowed to become the new number of Dale Earnhardt Jr.How do NASCAR drivers go about getting their car numbers asssigned to them?
NASCAR owns the numbers.


Team owners LEASE them from NASCAR. Numbers not being used are leased sometimes. For example, Richard Childress continues to lease the number 3.


Drivers have really no say. It is up to the car owner. If a car owner wants a number being used (or not used and just leased) by another team, NASCAR allows them to negotiate amongst themselves.
Nascar assigns numbers to the owners. Then Owners assign the number to the driver. The drivers dont actually own the number. For example last year Jr drove the number 8 Theresa Earnhardt wouldn't let go of the 8 when Jr left so he got the 88.
The owners of the cars actually ';own'; the numbers also...when Jr switched over Yates Racing handed over the 88 to Hendrick (classy move Yates). Nascar has the ultimate say in the matter, but I don't know how/why.
The team owner owns certain numbers and it is up to them to assign a driver a number when they first start.