NASCAR reinvents the Chase for the Championship points structure

Earlier today, NASCAR unveiled their Chase for the Championship format, which is meant to highlight winning while including some crucial elimination points.

Below is the simple explanation of the system:

Regular Season: Races No. 1 to No. 26

16 drivers will move forward to the Chase for the Championship.

If a driver wins a race in the first 26 races of the season, essentially they automatically qualify for the Chase for the Championship. If more than 16 drivers win at least one race, then the 16 highest in points will move forward.

If less than 16 win at least one race before the cutoff, the highest in points will fill out the remaining spots. So for example, if you have 14 winners, we’ll also take the two highest drivers in points that haven’t won yet.

There are some other requirements for your qualification. You must be in the top 30 in points and have made an attempt to qualify for each of the first 26 races. NASCAR has added that if a driver is injured and that causes missed attempts (cue Denny Hamlin last year), may be able to waive the qualifying requirement.

The Challenger Round: Chicagoland, New Hampshire, Dover

The “Sweet 16” will have their points totals reset to 2,000 points. For each win earned in the first 26 races, you will also be given three bonus points.

At the completion of Dover, 12 drivers will move forward to the next round.

If a driver in the top 16 in points wins either Chicagoland, New Hampshire or Dover – they automatically will move on to the next round regardless of place in standings.

The rest of the 12 that move forward will be determined by points.

The Contender Round: Kansas, Charlotte, Talladega

The “Dirty Dozen” will have their points totals reset to 3,000 points.

At the completion of Dover, eight drivers will move forward to the next round.

If a driver in the top 12 in points wins either Kansas, Charlotte, or Talladega – they automatically will move on to the next round regardless of place in standings.

The rest of the eight that move forward will be determined by points.

Eliminator Round: Martinsville, Texas, Phoenix

The “Epic Eight” will have their points totals reset to 4,000 points.

At the completion of Phoenix, four drivers will move forward to the next round.

If a driver in the top eight in points win either Martinsville, Texas or Phoenix – they automatically will move on to the next round regardless of place in standings.

The rest of the four that move forward will be determined by points.

Sprint Cup Championship: Homestead

The “Final Four” will have their points totals reset to 5,000 points.

In short – whoever finishes the highest of the four in the group at Homestead wins the championship.