For those who’re a brand new fan, NASCAR’s championship format could also be overwhelming. In contrast to System 1, IndyCar and so many different types of racing, it isn’t so simple as one driver amassing probably the most factors all year long. That kind of conventional season-long format was deserted by NASCAR forward of the 2004 season.
Since then, the championship format has modified fairly a bit. It went from a ten-driver Chase for Cup to 12 drivers with ‘win and also you’re in’ added’ earlier than increasing to 16 drivers and introducing a multi-round, knockout model format with a number of resets. Confused, but? Don’t be concerned, we’ll clarify all of it for you proper now.
Learn how to make the playoffs
There are two methods of constructing the NASCAR Cup Sequence playoffs. One of the best ways is to win a race. So long as a driver makes an attempt each race (except granted a waiver), a race win principally ensures them a spot within the playoffs. It would not matter what number of factors the motive force has or how dangerous of a season it has been up till that time. A profitable driver will leapfrog each different non-winner within the standings and lock your self in. The one time this is not a assure is on the uncommon event when there are over 16 race winners earlier than the twenty sixth race of the yr (when the common season ends). In that state of affairs, the bottom driver in factors with a single win will get the boot.
The opposite technique to make the playoffs is the extra conventional avenue. After including in race winners, drivers counting on factors will fill out the remaining spots for the 16-driver subject. However it’s important to watch out as a driver can have a stable common season, sitting excessive in factors, however miss the playoffs just because too many drivers behind them received races. It has occurred earlier than. A win beats every little thing.
Word: The common season consists of the primary 26 races of the yr whereas the playoffs are the the ultimate ten races.
Kyle Larson, Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet, Bristol race winner
Picture by: Sean Gardner / Getty Photographs
How factors are awarded
The NASCAR factors system is likely one of the easiest features of its championship. The race winner will get 40 factors, nevertheless it drops to 35 factors for the runner-up. After that, each place is value a single level, dropping by one as you go down the working order till you attain thirty sixth — value one level. thirty seventh by way of fortieth additionally rating only one level.
There are stage factors, too, with as much as 20 extra factors accessible to drivers every weekend (apart from the Coke 600, which provides 30 extra factors attributable to working an additional stage). Successful a stage ensures a driver ten factors, second earns 9 factors, third earns eight factors, and so forth. Solely the highest ten finishers in every stage earn stage factors.
It is attending to the playoff factors the place issues are much more difficult.
First, NASCAR provides one playoff level for profitable a stage and 5 playoff factors for profitable a race as bonus factors. A driver with say two wins and three stage wins would earn 13 bonus factors. There’s additionally a handful of playoff factors awarded to the ten drivers highest in factors on the finish of the common season.
As soon as the playoffs start, the 16 contenders have their factors reset to 2,000. The playoff bonus factors are then added with the most effective drivers often holding a to 30 to 40-point cushion over these on the underside.
For every spherical, the factors are reset — growing to three,000 for the second spherical, 4,000 for the third spherical, and 5,000 for the ultimate Championship 4 spherical.
Excluding the Championship 4, playoff (bonus) factors decided in the beginning of the playoffs are added to the whole after every reset with drivers carrying them by way of every spherical. They’ll additionally add to that complete by amassing extra race wins (5 factors) and stage wins (one level) all through the playoffs. However as soon as the inexperienced flag flies for the finale, factors now not imply something to the Championship 4 drivers.
Now to elucidate the precise rounds…
Tyler Reddick wins the 2024 NASCAR Cup Sequence Common Season Championship
Picture by: Lesley Ann Miller / Motorsport Photographs
How the playoffs are structured
The playoffs in itself options 4 distinct rounds: The Spherical of 16, the Spherical of 12, the Spherical of 8, and the Championship 4.
The primary three rounds all look the identical. Every consists of three races and on the finish of every, the underside 4 in factors are eradicated from championship rivalry. The factors reset on the finish of each spherical (as talked about above). The Championship 4 works in another way. It’s a single race, that includes the one 4 drivers left within the title battle in a winner-take-all finale. Nevertheless, the remainder of the sector stays on monitor for these races, racing for the win, their very own factors place, and generally to help their title-contending teammates.
Learn how to advance by way of every spherical of the playoffs
The way in which drivers can advance by way of every spherical of the playoffs mirrors how they will make the playoffs to start with. Essentially the most direct approach is to win one of many three races and mechanically advance. The opposite approach is to not be among the many four-lowest factors scorers (among the many playoff drivers) with out a win. To keep away from this, drivers will desperately attempt to accumulate stage factors as it’s regularly single-digits deciding these eliminations.
Ross Chastain performs the wall-ride as a way to escape playoff elimination, surprising the racing world as he locks himself into the Championship 4
Picture by: Lesley Ann Miller / Motorsport Photographs
How the champion is topped within the finale
The championship finale, which at the moment takes place at Phoenix Raceway, is very distinctive. The 4 drivers who make it by way of every of the playoff rounds are reset one ultimate time. Nevertheless, they don’t carry playoff bonus factors over into this ultimate spherical. In addition they aren’t eligible for stage factors. They are not racing by themselves both (just like the Pixar film ‘Automobiles’) as the remainder of the sector continues to be there, competing to win and to put as excessive in factors as potential.
As for the Championship 4 quartet, their mission is easy: End forward of the opposite three title contenders. It would not matter the place they end general and profitable the race just isn’t crucial. They only should be the highest-placing driver amongst that ultimate 4. Nevertheless, because the present format’s introduction since 2014, the champion has needed to win the finale yearly however one.
Joey Logano, Staff Penske, Shell Pennzoil Ford Mustang, Wins The 2024 Nascar Cup Championship
Picture by: John Harrelson / NKP / Motorsport Photographs
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