Who chooses/assigns numbers to the race cars and trucks?

May be...

NASCAR does officially "own" each number that is used, as well as unused. Each team owner can request specific numbers, i. e. Richard Childress Racing currently using the 07, 29, 31, and 33 as well as having the 3 available. NASCAR has no official policy of retiring a number, hence Richard Childress Racing requesting the 3 and not using the number until RCR desires to return the 3 to the track. The same was done by Robert Yates Racing with the 28 after the death of Davey Allison.

I have heard that Nascar "owns" the numbers and then leases numbers to each team. A petition has to be filed by the teams to lease a particular number. Not sure why teams choose which numbers they want to lease but I am sure they have their own reasons.

The owners.

The numbers are bought by the teams.

For example, Richard Childress has the rights to the #3. He does not want to put it on the track. So it stays "shelved" until he wants to use it.

I Believe that NASCAR ultimately "owns" the numbers and leases them out to the teams.

Yea NASCAR approves the numbers. The teams request use of the numbers and NASCAR has to approve the number. NASCAR can deny use of the number but in every case I can remember NASCAR has always allowed the person who has been using the number to keep using that number

the drivers can pick their # if its available like Tony Stewart picked 14 because A.J. Foyt was his fav. driver and that was his #. The team owner probably picks some of the #'s on his cars though.

they can pick what number they want

With cars/trucks that have three numbers on them..for as long as I have been watching NASCAR...I don't believe I have ever seen one up front...much less in Victory Lane. I would just like to know how they get the numbers.john marshall info