This is a list of points scoring systems used to determine the outcome of the NASCAR Championships since 1949. The Championships are awarded each year to the driver who accumulate the most championship points over the course of the Championship season.
Prize Money | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | 5th | 6th | 7th | 8th | 9th | 10th | 11th | 12th | 13th | 14th |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
$500 | 25 | 22.5 | 20 | 17.5 | 15 | 12.5 | 10 | 7.5 | 5 | 2.5 | 2 | 1.5 | 1 | .5 |
$1,000 | 50 | 45 | 40 | 35 | 30 | 25 | 20 | 15 | 10 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
$4,000 | 200 | 180 | 160 | 140 | 120 | 100 | 80 | 60 | 40 | 20 | 16 | 12 | 8 | 4 |
$6,000 | 300 | 270 | 240 | 210 | 180 | 150 | 120 | 90 | 60 | 30 | 24 | 18 | 12 | 6 |
$25,000 | 1250 | 1125 | 1000 | 875 | 750 | 625 | 500 | 375 | 250 | 125 | 100 | 75 | 50 | 25 |
The scale changes to spread out evenly across the top 25, and half points are eliminated. Prize money is usually rounded to the nearest thousand: i.e. a race paying $3,950 would count as 200 points.
Prize Money | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | 5th | 6th | 7th | 8th | 9th | 10th | 11th | 12th | 13th | 14th | 15th | 16th | 17th | 18th | 19th | 20th | 21st | 22nd | 23rd | 24th | 25th+ |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
$4000 | 200 | 192 | 184 | 176 | 168 | 160 | 152 | 144 | 136 | 128 | 120 | 112 | 104 | 96 | 88 | 80 | 72 | 64 | 56 | 48 | 40 | 32 | 24 | 16 | 8 |
$6000 | 400 | 384 | 368 | 352 | 336 | 320 | 304 | 288 | 272 | 256 | 240 | 224 | 208 | 192 | 176 | 160 | 144 | 128 | 112 | 96 | 80 | 64 | 48 | 32 | 16 |
$10000 | 500 | 480 | 460 | 440 | 420 | 400 | 380 | 360 | 340 | 320 | 300 | 280 | 260 | 240 | 220 | 200 | 180 | 160 | 140 | 120 | 100 | 80 | 60 | 40 | 20 |
$20000 | 1000 | 960 | 920 | 880 | 840 | 800 | 760 | 720 | 680 | 640 | 600 | 560 | 520 | 480 | 440 | 400 | 360 | 320 | 280 | 240 | 200 | 160 | 120 | 80 | 40 |
$25000 | 1250 | 1200 | 1150 | 1100 | 1050 | 1000 | 950 | 900 | 850 | 800 | 750 | 700 | 650 | 600 | 550 | 500 | 450 | 400 | 350 | 300 | 250 | 200 | 150 | 100 | 50 |
Event Length | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | 5th | 6th | 7th | 8th | 9th | 10th | 11th | 12th | 13th | 14th | 15th | 16th | 17th | 18th | 19th | 20th | 21st | 22nd | 23rd | 24th | 25th | 26th | 27th | 28th | 29th | 30th | 31st | 32nd | 33rd | 34th | 35th | 36th | 37th | 38th | 39th | 40th | 41st | 42nd | 43rd | 44th | 45th | 46th | 47th | 48th | 49th | 50th |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
< 250 miles | 50 | 49 | 48 | 47 | 46 | 45 | 44 | 43 | 42 | 41 | 40 | 39 | 38 | 37 | 36 | 35 | 34 | 33 | 32 | 31 | 30 | 29 | 28 | 27 | 26 | 25 | 24 | 23 | 22 | 21 | 20 | 19 | 18 | 17 | 16 | 15 | 14 | 13 | 12 | 11 | 10 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
250–399 miles | 100 | 98 | 96 | 94 | 92 | 90 | 88 | 86 | 84 | 82 | 80 | 78 | 76 | 74 | 72 | 70 | 68 | 66 | 64 | 62 | 60 | 58 | 56 | 54 | 52 | 50 | 48 | 46 | 44 | 42 | 40 | 38 | 36 | 34 | 32 | 30 | 28 | 26 | 24 | 22 | 20 | 18 | 16 | 14 | 12 | 10 | 8 | 6 | 4 | 2 |
> 399 miles | 150 | 147 | 144 | 141 | 138 | 135 | 132 | 129 | 126 | 123 | 120 | 117 | 114 | 111 | 108 | 105 | 102 | 99 | 96 | 93 | 90 | 87 | 84 | 81 | 78 | 75 | 72 | 69 | 66 | 63 | 60 | 57 | 54 | 51 | 48 | 45 | 42 | 39 | 36 | 33 | 30 | 27 | 24 | 21 | 18 | 15 | 12 | 9 | 6 | 3 |
Two different scoring systems were combined between 1972 and 1973. A points system for rank in the race and another point system for points based on the length of the race and the distance covered by the driver. For Example: The winner of the Daytona 500 in 1972 received a total of 350 points, 100 points for first place and an additional 250 points (1.25 points per lap * 200 laps) for race distance completed.
Rank points were awarded to the top 50 placing drivers in every race, using the following structure:
Season | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | 5th | 6th | 7th | 8th | 9th | 10th | 11th | 12th | 13th | 14th | 15th | 16th | 17th | 18th | 19th | 20th | 21st | 22nd | 23rd | 24th | 25th | 26th | 27th | 28th | 29th | 30th | 31st | 32nd | 33rd | 34th | 35th | 36th | 37th | 38th | 39th | 40th | 41st | 42nd | 43rd | 44th | 45th | 46th | 47th | 48th | 49th | 50th |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1972 | 100 | 98 | 96 | 94 | 92 | 90 | 88 | 86 | 84 | 82 | 80 | 78 | 76 | 74 | 72 | 70 | 68 | 66 | 64 | 62 | 60 | 58 | 56 | 54 | 52 | 50 | 48 | 46 | 44 | 42 | 40 | 38 | 36 | 34 | 32 | 30 | 28 | 26 | 24 | 22 | 20 | 18 | 16 | 14 | 12 | 10 | 8 | 6 | 4 | 2 |
1973 | 125 | 98 | 96 | 94 | 92 | 90 | 88 | 86 | 84 | 82 | 80 | 78 | 76 | 74 | 72 | 70 | 68 | 66 | 64 | 62 | 60 | 58 | 56 | 54 | 52 | 50 | 48 | 46 | 44 | 42 | 40 | 38 | 36 | 34 | 32 | 30 | 28 | 26 | 24 | 22 | 20 | 18 | 16 | 14 | 12 | 10 | 8 | 6 | 4 | 2 |
Additionally, points for laps completed were awarded per the following schedule:
Track lap distance | Points per number of laps completed |
---|---|
< 1 mile | 0.25 |
1 mile | 0.50 |
1.3 miles | 0.70 |
1.5 miles | 0.75 |
2 miles | 1.00 |
2.5 miles | 1.25 |
Year | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | 5th | 6th | 7th | 8th | 9th | 10th | 11th | 12th | 13th | 14th | 15th | 16th | 17th | 18th | 19th | 20th | 21st | 22nd | 23rd | 24th | 25th | 26th | 27th | 28th | 29th | 30th | 31st | 32nd | 33rd | 34th | 35th | 36th | 37th | 38th | 39th | 40th | 41st | 42nd | 43rd | 44th | 45th | 46th | 47th | 48th | 49th | 50th | 51st | 52nd | 53rd | 54th | Lead a Lap | Lead the Most Laps |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1975–2003 | 175 | 170 | 165 | 160 | 155 | 150 | 146 | 142 | 138 | 134 | 130 | 127 | 124 | 121 | 118 | 115 | 112 | 109 | 106 | 103 | 100 | 97 | 94 | 91 | 88 | 85 | 82 | 79 | 76 | 73 | 70 | 67 | 64 | 61 | 58 | 55 | 52 | 49 | 46 | 43 | 40 | 37 | 34 | 31 | 28 | 25 | 20 | 15 | 10 | 8 | 6 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 5 | 5 |
2004–2006 | 180 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2007–2010 | 185 |
1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | 5th | 6th | 7th | 8th | 9th | 10th | 11th | 12th | 13th | 14th | 15th | 16th | 17th | 18th | 19th | 20th | 21st | 22nd | 23rd | 24th | 25th | 26th | 27th | 28th | 29th | 30th | 31st | 32nd | 33rd | 34th | 35th | 36th | 37th | 38th | 39th | 40th | 41st | 42nd | 43rd | Lead a Lap | Lead the Most Laps |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
43 (+3) | 42 | 41 | 40 | 39 | 38 | 37 | 36 | 35 | 34 | 33 | 32 | 31 | 30 | 29 | 28 | 27 | 26 | 25 | 24 | 23 | 22 | 21 | 20 | 19 | 18 | 17 | 16 | 15 | 14 | 13 | 12 | 11 | 10 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | 5th | 6th | 7th | 8th | 9th | 10th | 11th | 12th | 13th | 14th | 15th | 16th | 17th | 18th | 19th | 20th | 21st | 22nd | 23rd | 24th | 25th | 26th | 27th | 28th | 29th | 30th | 31st | 32nd | 33rd | 34th | 35th | 36th | 37th | 38th | 39th | 40th | Lead a Lap | Lead the most Laps |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
40 (+3) | 39 | 38 | 37 | 36 | 35 | 34 | 33 | 32 | 31 | 30 | 29 | 28 | 27 | 26 | 25 | 24 | 23 | 22 | 21 | 20 | 19 | 18 | 17 | 16 | 15 | 14 | 13 | 12 | 11 | 10 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
For all series in NASCAR, there is both a drivers and an owners championship, with the system based on finishing positions equal in both championships. Since 2011 in the National Series competition and 2012 in the Regional Series competition, the points system has been a one-point per position system except between the winner and second-place finisher, where the difference is five points. [2] In all series except the Whelen All-American Series, a driver who leads a lap during the race will earn one bonus point (the only place leading counts is at the start/finish line). Starting in 2011, drivers must declare which series they will earn championship points and cannot earn points in other series than the one that they have declared. This rule does not apply for owners, as their drivers' finishing positions will score owner points, regardless of the driver being eligible for points in that series or not. If an ineligible driver wins the race, he/she does not score any driver points, but the owner will score 40 (and stage points if the driver scores). Under NASCAR's charter system beginning in 2016, the last place finisher will earn 1 point (previously the last place driver earned 1 point for the 40-car field has been used).
A new NASCAR Point System has been announced for the 2017 season:
For the first time since 1971, the Can-Am Duel qualifying races will become points paying races with the top-10 finishers will earn points.
In the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, there are only 32 competitors, so the last-place driver will receive five points. Teams must submit an entry form to NASCAR 13 days prior to the event with the race's entry fee, or they are deemed ineligible for points.
Most races are now divided into 3 "stages" with additional points available for position at the end of the first 2 stages and finishing points for the final stage. Stage 1 is roughly the first quarter of the race distance, Stage 2 is roughly the 2nd quarter and Stage 3 is roughly the last half of the race. Drivers can earn race points through their performances in Stage 1 and 2. Drivers who are running first through 10th at the conclusion of Stage 1 and/or Stage 2 will receive points according to the table below.
Points are awarded to the drivers in the first two stages:
Position | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | S1WIN | S2WIN | S3WIN [lower-alpha 1] |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
NCS | 10 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
NXS | 10 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | - |
NCTS | 10 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | - |
The only exception to the 3 stage race is for the NASCAR Cup Series's longest race, the Coca-Cola 600 which has 4 stages that are divided into 4 equal 100 lap quarters with points awarded for stage 3 position.
Points are awarded to drivers and owners in the three national series in the final stage:
Position | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 30 | 31 | 32 | 33 | 34 | 35 | 36 | 37 | 38 | 39 | 40 | PWIN |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
NCS | 40 | 35 | 34 | 33 | 32 | 31 | 30 | 29 | 28 | 27 | 26 | 25 | 24 | 23 | 22 | 21 | 20 | 19 | 18 | 17 | 16 | 15 | 14 | 13 | 12 | 11 | 10 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 5 |
NXS | 40 | 35 | 34 | 33 | 32 | 31 | 30 | 29 | 28 | 27 | 26 | 25 | 24 | 23 | 22 | 21 | 20 | 19 | 18 | 17 | 16 | 15 | 14 | 13 | 12 | 11 | 10 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 5 | ||
NCTS | 40 | 35 | 34 | 33 | 32 | 31 | 30 | 29 | 28 | 27 | 26 | 25 | 24 | 23 | 22 | 21 | 20 | 19 | 18 | 17 | 16 | 15 | 14 | 13 | 12 | 11 | 10 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 5 |
Following the suspension of the 2020 season due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, NASCAR altered the field size for the Xfinity Series and Truck Series, allowing fields of up to 40 competitors after practice and qualifying sessions were removed from race weekends. The Xfinity Series followed the Cup series point format with drivers finishing between 37th and 40th scoring 1 point. The Truck Series awarded 5 points to drivers finishing between 33rd and 40th. [3]
In NASCAR's top three national series, there is a playoff format contested over the final races of the season. When Sprint Nextel was the title sponsor of NASCAR's premiere series it was known as the Chase. Starting in 2017 it is simply known as the playoffs. [4]
The top 16 drivers with the most wins over the first 26 races qualify for the Playoffs, provided they attempted to qualify for every race. A driver may be exempt from the requirement to start every race if he has to miss races because of injuries, is on family leave, or under extenuating circumstances by NASCAR.
If there are fewer than 16 different race winners in the first 26 races, the remaining positions will be determined by drivers highest in points standings. All ties will be broken by drivers' point standings.
Drivers who qualify for the playoffs will have their points reset to 2,000 points, along with one point for each stage won during the regular season, and five points for each race win. Also, more bonus points for Top-10 in points standings at the end of the regular season:
Position | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Additional playoff points | 15 | 10 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
The four drivers remaining in the playoffs are the Championship Four. They compete for the NASCAR Cup Championship at the 36th and final race of the season, currently held at Phoenix Raceway. Points are reset at 5,000 for all 4 drivers. The Championship Four drivers do not receive points for finishing position at the end of each stage. Only official finishing position alone will decide the champion, the highest finisher wins the championship. 2023 was the first year that the champion didn’t win the race itself.
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