Everything you should know about Nextel Cup Series and Nascar Point System. The Nextel Cup Series runs from February to November. The season consists of 36 races. Each of the regular season races involves 43 cars. The major change with the Nextel Cup is the points system.
Nextel Cup Series Links:
Chase Cup Standings
Chase Cup
2007 Nextel Cup schedule
Nextel Cup Series Points System
The way it works is that every car in the race is awarded a certain number of points even if the car comes in last place. There is also a possibility for bonus points. If a driver is in the lead for at least one lap, they are awarded 5 bonus points. The driver who is in the lead for the most laps will receive an additional 5 bonus points. Obviously, the driver with the most points is the winner.
The last 10 races in the Nextel Cup are called the Chase for the Championship. Basically, the points accrued during the season are adjusted. First place will receive 5,050 points, second place 5,045 and each driver down the line with 5 points less than the driver before them. The top 10 drivers are in the Chase, as well as any driver within 400 points of the lead driver. At the end of the Chase for the Championship, the driver with the most points will be declared the Nextel Cup Series Champion. See the table below for a breakdown of the points system for the regular season races.