Championship Points System

For all NASCAR series Championships, (including Busch and Truck) points are given out for each race based on two categories: Final Position, and Laps Led.

For points according to position, there are three different scales. First Place gets 180 points, with ten points separating first from second. After second place (170 points), the first scale starts, with five points separating second through sixth place. After sixth place the second scale starts, separating drivers by four points for positions seven through eleven. After that, the third scale is in effect, separating the rest of the field by three points. (see chart on right) This is why cars will sometimes go back on track after a wreck, even if they have no chance of winning. By moving up 3 positions, they gain nine more points.

For points according to laps led, every driver that leads a lap in a NASCAR race gets an additional five points, on top of what they earned based on position. In addition, the driver that lead the most laps earns an additional five points, for a maximum of ten points.

NEXTEL Cup Driver's Championship

After the 26th race with ten races to go, the Driver's Championship points are changed in accordance with the "Chase for the Cup", with the leader in championship points having their total altered to 5050 points, second place altered to 5045, and so on for all eligible drivers.

One important note is that the points system does not change after the 26th race. (during the "Chase for the Cup") While the only drivers eligible for the championship are those in the chase, all points are awarded in the same manner. Another important note is that only the NEXTEL Cup standings points are altered, not for any other series.

NEXTEL Cup Owner's Championship

The NEXTEL Cup Owner's Championship operates in the same manner as the Driver's Championship, but with one addition. In the event of more than 43 cars attempting to qualify, owner's points are awarded to each car in the following manner: the fastest non-qualifier (in essence, 44th position) receives 31 points, three less than the 43rd position car. If there are more than one non-qualifying cars, owners points continue to be assigned in the manner described, that it, decreasing by three for each position. This usually has little effect in changing the Owner's Championship positions for full-time drivers, but rather, in the lower rankings of NASCAR.

NEXTEL Cup Manufacturer's Championship

NASCAR does have a little known Manufacturer's Championship, although the Driver's Championship is considered more prestigious. The winning driver earns nine points for their manufacturer, the second best manufacturer gains six points, third best gains four points, and fourth (if there is more than three manufacturers) gains three points.