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Working out how the system of points are distributed within NASCAR races is almost as difficult as trying to understand why a drivers receive a sum of money that does not always seem to equate with their final position; almost, but not quite. The first thing one has to do is to concentrate upon the particular party that is receiving the points. For this purpose we shall split them down into the three relevant parts, each of which run have their own individual competition within the sport.

DRIVERS POINTS

The core basis of the driver's championship points is fairly straightforward, at least for the first 26 races of the season. The following list might help

First = 180 points
Second = 170 points
Third to sixth = five points less than the next highest position, for example 165, 160, 155 and 150
Seventh to eleventh = four points less than the next highest position.
Twelfth to last place = three points less than the next highest position.

However, if you thought that was too easy, there is a catch. Drivers also get an additional five points for leading a lap and a further five points go to the one who led the most laps.

From the twenty-seventh race of the season the whole position changes. At that point the top ten drivers in the championship, together with any other driver who is less than 400 adrift of the leader, enter what is known as the "chase for the Championship." The season for the remaining drivers is effectively over.

At this stage the leader of this list will get 5050 points and the points for those below will reduce by five points per position. From this position, as the future races are completed these remaining drivers will accumulate points much in the same way as previously explained for each race, although the differential between the points awarded is not as great as it had been for the earlier 26 races.

OWNERS POINTS

Similar to Formula 1, the team owners also have their own points system. However, the difference between this system and the driver's one is that the owner's team gets points just for showing up. For example, if a team brings two cars and one fails to qualify the owner will gets points for that failure, with the lowest possible award being one point. These points are based upon qualifying times. Thus, the fastest time for the driver who does not qualify for the race will receive 31 points for the owner and from there on the points will reduce by three per position.

MANUFACTURERS POINTS.

In fact the carmakers points system is probably the easiest to understand. Here, points are awarded in the following manner: -

1st - 9 points
2nd - 6 points
3rd 4 points
4th 3 points

If you are still confused do not worry. It will all become plain quite quickly once you start taking a closer interest in the sport. Alternatively just ask one of the millions of NASCAR fans and I am sure they will explain it to you again.

Learn more about this author, Paul Lines.
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