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of a race earns 185 points, 15 points higher than that of second (170). Positions 2 through 6 (150) are separated by 5 points a piece, while positions 6 through 11 (130) are separated by 4. Finally, each position from 11th place through the final finishing position of 43rd (34) is separated by 3 points. The only way for these numbers to change are through three special cases, two of which include leading a lap or leading the most laps out of any driver in that race. Each of these two cases grants a 5 point reward. For example, the winner will always earn at least 190 points for his first place finishing position because he will always lead at least the final lap. If he also led the most laps in that race he would earn a total of 195, the most points possible to earn. For clarification, if a driver led the most laps but still finished 43rd, he would earn 44 points; if he led just one-39.

The third special case is that of penalties. Penalties are given out by NASCAR and are unpredictable. They typically result in both monetary penalties to the team's crew chief and point penalties to both driver and owner. Depending on the type of penalty, whether it is for aggressive driving or an illegal car part, it may grant higher penalties and harsher probation sentences according to its magnitude of importance or its flagrancy in execution. If an additional penalty is given during a driver's probation sentence it is typical for a higher penalty and an order for a driver's suspension.

Though there are plenty of critics of the newer "playoff" system, it does seem to be generally accepted five years later. On the positive side it does certainly promote consistency. If one has championship hopes, he certainly must be on his game all year long. However, it has become increasingly obvious over the last three years, especially with Jimmie Johnson's streak of championships (2006-08), that anyone who makes the 12th place cutoff slot has a decent shot at the cup. This is important for Johnson because though he certainly has the stats for a high finish in either the older or newer point systems, his team of Hendrick Motorsports has their setups for the final ten races perfected. Because the final ten races have stayed the same since 2004, someone who excels at these final ten tracks can make the Chase extremely painful for the other eleven competitors. Though I started in 2004 as an avid critic of the system, I have certainly warmed up to it in recent years. The only criticism I hold today is that of these final ten tracks. It is necessary to randomize these tracks annually in order to allow for a fair judgment of the champions' skills.

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