Homestead, FL -- (Sports Network) - In an effort to cut costs for teams, NASCAR announced it will suspend testing at its sanctioned tracks for its three national touring and two regional racing series during the 2009 season.

NASCAR informed teams Friday morning at the Homestead-Miami Speedway, where the 2008 season in the top three series comes to a close.

Next year, teams in the Sprint Cup, Nationwide and Camping World Truck Series, as well as Camping World East and West Regional Touring Series will not be permitted to test at tracks hosting any of those events. The ban includes pre- season testing for the Daytona 500 in January.

NASCAR said it reached its decision after several months of discussions with the teams in regards to current economic conditions.

"A good deal of conversation has been taking place since June regarding testing, NASCAR President Mike Helton said. "That conversation coupled with the continued turn of economic conditions has led us to this decision. The particulars and some of the details regarding this move will be formulated more over the next two or three weeks. There was an urgency we felt to tell the teams and the industry of the general decision to suspend testing before the weekend was complete, because come Monday morning, everybody's focus will begin to be on '09."

Jimmie Johnson, on the brink of tying Cale Yarborough's record for three consecutive Cup championships this weekend, disagreed with the testing ban.

"I think it's a mistake," Johnson said. "I think the teams need a chance to work on their cars, to improve their programs and put on a better show. If we had this rule at the start of this year, with all the development work that needed to be done with this new car, not only with the 48 team but the whole series as well, I don't think we would be where we are today."

But some drivers like Carl Edwards welcome NASCAR's decision.

"I think it's a great move by NASCAR," Edwards said. "I think it gives a little bit of relief for the teams as far as expenses. That's a good thing, and it'll make it a little easier on all the guys. As long as everybody operates under the same rules, you're going to have nearly the same competition."

Teams have spent up to $100,000 each day testing a car.

The ban does not prevent teams from testing at NASCAR weekly racing series tracks and at venues not associated with NASCAR.