The elimination-based Chase is designed to create a Final Four-like showdown for the season finale Nov. 16 at Homestead-Miami Speedway.
So how does the new Chase work? Here’s a look:
How did drivers qualify for the Chase?
The field is 16 drivers. It includes the regular-season points leader, plus the next 15 drivers — as long as they’re in the top 30 in the standings and have attempted to qualify for each race — based on wins and points. There were 13 drivers, including regular-season points leader Jeff Gordon, who qualified by winning races, so the final three spots went to drivers based on points.
How are they seeded?
For the first round of the Chase, each driver gets three points for each regular-season win. They are then ranked by the normal tiebreaker in the standings — best finish. So among those with the same number of wins, the driver with the most second-place finishes would be the higher seed.
What are the seedings and current standings?
Seed Driver Points (wins)
Brad Keselowski, 2,012 (Las Vegas, Kentucky, Loudon, Richmond)
Jeff Gordon, 2,009 (Kansas, Indianapolis, Michigan)
Dale Earnhardt Jr., 2,009 (Daytona, Pocono, Pocono)
Jimmie Johnson, 2,009 (Charlotte, Dover, Michigan)
Joey Logano, 2,009 (Texas, Richmond, Bristol)
Kevin Harvick, 2,006 (Phoenix, Darlington)
Carl Edwards, 2,006 (Bristol, Sonoma)
Kyle Busch, 2,003 (California)
Denny Hamlin, 2,003 (Talladega)
Kurt Busch, 2,003 (Martinsville)
Kasey Kahne, 2,003 (Atlanta)
Aric Almirola, 2,003 (Daytona)
AJ Allmendinger, 2,003 (Watkins Glen)
Matt Kenseth, 2,000 (points, 5th)
Greg Biffle, 2,000 (points, 10th)
Ryan Newman, 2,000 (points, 8th)
What are the Chase rounds?
There are four rounds, with the first three consisting of three races each:
1st round: Chicagoland, New Hampshire, Dover
2nd round: Kansas, Charlotte, Talladega
3rd round: Martinsville, Texas, Phoenix
Championship: Homestead
How do drivers advance?
Four drivers will be eliminated in each round. Race winners (as long as they are still part of the Chase) automatically advance, and the remainder of the spots are based on points scored in the three Chase races. If drivers are tied in points, ties are broken by best finish in that specific round. After the first round, the 12 remaining drivers have their points reset to 3,000. After the second round, the eight remaining drivers have their points reset to 4,000 and after the third round, the four remaining drivers have their points reset to 5,000.
What about bonus points for wins?
Drivers do not carry over any bonus points for wins from round to round. All remaining drivers start the second, third and championship round on equal footing.
How is the champion determined?
The driver who finishes best among the four finalists at Homestead is the champion. There are no bonus points for those drivers based on a lap led or leading the most laps.
What about those eliminated?
Those drivers who are eliminated in the first three rounds have their points adjusted by taking their total points accumulated in Chase races and adding to their point total when they started the Chase. That way, a driver who is knocked out in the first round of the Chase can finish as high as fifth in the final standings.
Do drivers have to start every race?
Yes. Same rules as during the regular season. You can’t skip a race unless NASCAR grants a waiver.
What are the names of the rounds?
NASCAR has labeled each round in hopes of the names catching on. The first round is being called the “Challenger” round, the second round the “Contender” round and the third round the “Eliminator” round.
