Under the new format, 16 drivers will qualify for the Chase for the Sprint Cup. The top 15 drivers with the most wins over the first 26 races will earn a spot in the NASCAR Chase Grid -- provided they have finished in the top 30 in points and attempted to qualify for every race (except in rare instances). The 16th Chase position will go to the points leader after race No. 26, if he/she does not have a victory. In the event that there are 16 or more different winners over 26 races, the only winless driver who can earn a Chase grid spot would be the points leader after 26 races.
If there are fewer than 16 different winners in the first 26 races, the remaining Chase grid positions will go to those winless drivers highest in points. If there are 16 or more winners in the first 26 races, the ties will first be broken by number of wins, followed by NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver points.
Drivers differ on proposed changes to the Chase
As has been the case in recent seasons, at the close of the regular season, drivers who qualify for the Chase will have their point totals reset to 2,000 plus 3 points for each regular-season race victory. Winless drivers receive no bonus points.
After the first three races of the Chase -- known as the Challenger Round -- the bottom four Chase drivers in points will be eliminated from championship eligibility, leaving 12 drivers to fight for the title. Any driver who wins a Chase race automatically advances to the next segment. Points will be reset after this round to 3,000 points for each driver.
Following the next three races of the Chase -- the Contender Round -- the bottom four remaining drivers again will be eliminated, cutting the title hopefuls to eight. Points will be reset to 4,000 for each driver after this round.
After another three races -- the Eliminator Round -- the bottom four remaining drivers will be axed, leaving four drivers to contend for the championship.
At the season finale, the final four drivers will have their point totals reset to 5,000 so all four are tied prior to the Ford 400. Whoever among the four drivers does best at Homestead will be the series champion for the year.
"No math, no bonus points for leading laps, (or) previous wins," said France. "It's going to be the first of four drivers to cross the finish line. And you know what? That's as simple as it gets."
To me, much like any other sport. If you play well during the regular season and end up with a decent record, you go to the playoffs. If you get hot in the playoffs and make a run, you end up with a championship. To me, this pits the best drivers against each other, and not the one's who dominate one track per season as well as the lucky one's/first time winners at Talledega and Daytona. 4 team playoff for the championship....in one race. Let's go racin' boys!
