New Chase format 2014
New Chase format 2014
On January 30, 2014, NASCAR announced radical changes to the format for the season-ending Chase for the Sprint Cup.
The group of drivers in the Chase will now officially be called the NASCAR Sprint Cup Chase Grid.
The number of drivers qualifying for the Chase Grid will expand from 12 to 16.
Fifteen of the 16 slots in the Chase Grid are reserved for the drivers with the most race wins over the first 26 races. The remaining spot is reserved for the points leader after 26 races, if that driver does not have a victory. If fewer than 16 drivers have wins in the first 26 races, the remaining Chase Grid spots are filled by winless drivers in order of season points. As in the recent past, all drivers on the Chase Grid have their driver points reset to 2,000 prior to the Chase, with a 3-point bonus for each win in the first 26 races.
The Chase will be divided into four rounds. After each of the first three rounds, the four Chase Grid drivers with the fewest season points are eliminated from the Grid and championship contention. Any driver on the Chase Grid who wins a race in the first three rounds automatically advances to the next round. Also, all drivers eliminated from the Chase have their points readjusted to the regular-season points scheme. Challenger Round (races 27–29) Begins with 16 drivers, each with 2,000 points plus a 3-point bonus for each win in the first 26 races. Contender Round (races 30–32) Begins with 12 drivers, each with 3,000 points. Eliminator Round (races 33–35) Begins with eight drivers, each with 4,000 points. NASCAR Sprint Cup Championship (final race) The last four drivers in contention for the season title start the race at 5,000 points, with the highest finisher in the race winning the Cup Series title.
