Updated: Jan. 23, 2007, 7:05 PM ET
By David Newton
ESPN.com

CONCORD, N.C. -- Dale Jarrett won't have the luxury of his past champion's provisional to guarantee a spot in every Nextel Cup event this season.

NASCAR plans to announce before next month's Daytona 500 a cap on the number of provisionals a former champion can use in a season, vice president of competition Robin Pemberton said on Tuesday.

That number likely will fall around six, sources said.

Jarrett, driving for the new Toyota team of Michael Waltrip Racing, is the only past champion currently outside the top 35 in points that are guaranteed a spot in the field that would need to take advantage of the provisional for the first five races.

But there is the potential for many more after the first five races when guaranteed spots go from the top 35 of 2006 to this year.

"We just feel there are so many past champions out there that we needed to do something," Pemberton said.

A year ago, two-time Cup champion Terry Labonte ran a limited number of races for Hall of Fame Racing to guarantee that team made races early in the season and solidified itself in the top 35.

With the influx of seven full-time Toyota teams and the expansion of other organizations, there was the potential for other past champions to come into play.

"We're just trying to make it fair to all," Pemberton said.

Past champions currently competing full- or part-time: Jimmie Johnson ('06), Tony Stewart ('02, '05), Kurt Busch ('04), Matt Kenseth ('03), Jeff Gordon ('95, '97, '98, '01), Bobby Labonte ('00), Jarrett ('99) and Bill Elliott ('88).

The past champion's provisional was created in 1991 in response to complaints that seven-time Winston Cup champion Richard Petty failed to qualify for the spring 1989 race at Richmond.

Only one past champion's provisional is allowed per race, going to the most recent champion who fails to qualify for a race. NASCAR has discussed limiting the number of past champion's provisionals before, particularly after Darrell Waltrip used it a number of times in 1998.

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Ryan Newman, Daytona 500 Champion!!
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I think if you are a fan of the fastest 43 drivers getting in the race, this is good news. I think NASCAR is gradually getting rid of the championship provisional, and just MAYBE the top 35 automatically making the race, which means the fastest 43 drivers make the race. NASCAR hasn't been changing stuff like this for a very long time, and they are starting to do it.

Yes Dark, I too am glad to see some changes like this one happen. I definitely think they should put a cap on how many times a season that a past champion can use it. I also think that they will eventually phase out the champions provisional all together!

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Ryan Newman, Daytona 500 Champion!!
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big E fan likes this

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Past Champions Limited To 6 Provisional Berths in Cup: NASCAR announced today an update to the past champion’s provisional rule in the Nextel Cup Series for 2007. Beginning this season, a past champion’s provisional may be used by an eligible driver a maximum of six times over the course of the season. In addition, a team with a past champion eligible driver may only use this provisional a maximum of six times during a season. Previously, there was no limit on usage of the past champion’s provisional over the course of the 36-race season. The provisional gives the eligible driver the 43rd and final starting position in the race field. "As NASCAR seeks to place more emphasis on competition, we have decided the time is right to limit the number of provisionals allowed,” said NASCAR Vice President of Competition Robin Pemberton. “We believe this revision brings the provisional policy in line with the continued growth of the sport.”(NASCAR PR)(1-31-2007)

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Rome did not create a Great Empire by having meetings--- They did it by killing all people who opposed them!

In my opinion 6 is still way to many, I,d prefer 1 or 2 Thats enough to account for being unlucky in qualifying, a bad qualifying draw or just bein off the pace once in awhile.
I hate seeing a driver being signed to drive a car just so the team can be guaranteed a starting spot. The six number means that the first six races of the season they have an automatic in ( thus points from the previous season mean nothing ) after the first six races NASCAR goes to this years points. That means a team using six PC previsionals has made the first six races and if they ran even half ass should be in the top thirtyfive...Bingo more auto ins

FASTEST FOURTYTHREE SHOULD RACE PERIOD

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The JACK CREW!!!

That was my first reaction too Flash! Now hiring a past champion to drive a car will only guarantee 6 starts and that is a big help to make the top 35! Nascar took the easy way out, IMHO, as not to ruffle too many feathers!

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NASCAR needs to get rid of the past champions provisional all together.

But DS, the rule helps put butts in the grandstands and thats what NASCAR is interested in.

you are right...all about the benjamins H8, but all the big names are good enough to get there on their own....who is really to benefit...? toyota with dale jarrett.. the other past champs should be able to qualify, Terry Labonte is out... Bill Elliot would be another that would still get in... D W ... I think is done....Bobby Labonte might benefit, but he should be able to qualify his way in... Rusty is out.... maybe it should go away.... if you cannot run with the big dogs.... stay on the porch.... Big names sell tickets, but if you are not competitive you are just in the way.... maybe it is a rule that should be extinct.

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Rome did not create a Great Empire by having meetings--- They did it by killing all people who opposed them!