Finally! Understanding the NASCAR Points System
NASCAR Points System
Since NASCAR began in 1948, their point system has been shrouded in mystery and confusion. OK, not quite, but the association does publish their rules and regulation books exclusively for NASCAR members, and are not made available to the public. Until now! (Just kidding – many of the rules have been made public by the media.) In 2011, NASCAR adjusted the championship points system to make it more easily understandable and streamlined. Here’s the rundown…
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NASCAR Points System For 2013 Explained
1. First place receives 43 points, second places receives 42, third place receives 41 points, and so on and so forth.
2. Sprint and Nationwide races have a maximum of 43 cars, so the 43rd place car receives one point with a full field. Camping World races have a maximum of 36 cars, so the last finisher receives eight points with a full field. Drivers who fail to qualify receive no points; however, owner points are awarded for all qualifying attempts.
3. All drivers who lead at least one lap receive one bonus point. The driver who leads the most laps receives one additional bonus point.
4. The race winner receives an additional three bonus points, so the winner will receive a total of either 47 or 48 points.
5. Lap leadership is determined at the start/finish line at the end of each lap. A driver cannot simply lead part of a lap somewhere on the track; the driver must be the first across the start/finish line to be considered the leader for that lap.
6. Drivers’ points are assigned to the driver who starts the race. The driver may be changed between qualifying and the race, but the new driver will be forced to start from the back of the field.
Championship Points System Chart
PosPoints
1st | 43 |
2nd | 42 |
3rd | 41 |
4th | 40 |
5th | 39 |
6th | 38 |
7th | 37 |
8th | 36 |
9th | 35 |
10th | 34 |
11th | 33 |
12th | 32 |
13th | 31 |
14th | 30 |
15th | 29 |
16th | 28 |
17th | 27 |
18th | 26 |
19th | 25 |
20th | 24 |
21st | 23 |
22nd | 22 |
23rd | 21 |
24th | 20 |
25th | 19 |
26th | 18 |
27th | 17 |
28th | 16 |
29th | 15 |
30th | 14 |
31st | 13 |
32nd | 12 |
33rd | 11 |
34th | 10 |
35th | 9 |
36th | 8 |
37th | 7 |
38th | 6 |
39th | 5 |
40th | 4 |
41st | 3 |
42nd | 2 |
43rd | 1 |
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