As we round the corner to September, NASCAR drivers and fans are revving up for the next leg of the 2024 Cup Series season: the NASCAR playoffs. After 26 regular-season races, one driver will be declared the regular season champion before the next phase begins. That’s right, it’s playoffs time.
How do drivers clinch a playoff spot? And if they get a spot, how are the playoffs organized? And finally, which 2024 racers will we see on the track come the Round of 16? Learn the rules of NASCAR Cup Series playoffs right here, so you’ll be ready to cheer on your favorite drivers on as they fight for victory.
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NASCAR CUP SERIES PLAYOFF GUIDELINES
NASCAR’s 75-year history shows that the sport isn’t afraid of changing things up. In fact, the organization has adjusted its point system 15 different times since 1949. And while that may sound like a lot of change, it’s all in an effort to make the sport as exciting and enjoyable as possible.
Before 2004, there were no NASCAR playoffs. It wasn’t until the early 2000s that the organization decided to implement the “Chase for the Cup” which was later renamed the NASCAR playoffs.
HOW DOES THE NASCAR POINT SYSTEM WORK?
Starting in 2018, the NASCAR Cup Series regular season championship was awarded to the driver who got the most points in the 26 regular season races. But how do drivers win these points? And what’s the difference between regular season and playoff points?
First, drivers gain points during the regular season based on their final place in the race. With a maximum of 40 cars per race, drivers receive anywhere from 40 points for finishing first, to 1 point for finishing last. If a driver won every race of the season, they would accumulate 1,040 points from the wins alone.
Another change to the NASCAR point system in 2018 was the addition of stage points. Races are split into three stages, and drivers can win additional points for their finishing place in Stages 1 and 2.
The first two stages make up half the race, with the third and final stage taking up the other half of laps. Similar to how drivers get points for their final place, the top 10 drivers to finish each stage are awarded points, from 10 to 1.
Drivers can also gain playoff points, which are counted differently, during regular season races. Winners of Stages 1 and 2 receive one playoff point each, while race winners are awarded five playoff points. Another key point about race winners: if you win, you’re in. For the most part, finishing first in a regular season race pushes the driver through to the first round of the Playoffs, despite their final regular season point total. This is not the case, however, if there are 16 or more unique race winners over the course of the regular season.
The regular season champion is provided 15 extra playoff points, as are the 9 other top-point getters, decreasing from 15 points to 1 point.
From there, the 16 playoff spots are determined. If there are fewer than 16 race winners from the regular season, the remaining playoff spots are filled based on regular-season points. If there are more than 16 winners, the highest-point winners among them qualify. Understanding that, the number of spots allotted to non-race winners depends on the total number of regular season winners.
HOW MANY ROUNDS OF PLAYOFFS ARE THERE?
Once the top 16 drivers have been decided, there are four rounds of playoffs to determine the NASCAR Cup Series champion. The rounds are:
- Round of 16
- Round of 12
- Round of 8
- Championship 4
Players are able to accumulate more playoff points during the playoff period, both for winning stages and races, just like in the regular season. The Round of 16, 12 and 8 consist of three races each. Drivers can move on to the next round of playoffs by either winning one of the three races or by having more cumulative points than competitors. The four drivers with the lowest number of points at the end of the round are then eliminated from the playoffs.
Finally, the last four drivers standing then battle it out for winner-takes-all NASCAR Cup Series Championship, with the first-place driver becoming the NASCAR champion.
Drivers that are eliminated during playoffs are then placed 5-16th, depending on their final point total.
WHY DID NASCAR START THE PLAYOFFS?
According to NASCAR, they implemented the playoffs to make NASCAR’s mid-season races more competitive, as well as to increase fan excitement and viewership numbers. While there are some coincidences in the timing (i.e., Matt Kenseth’s win in 2003), NASCAR officials stand by their decision to put more emphasis on winning races than having a steady season.
NASCAR PLAYOFF STANDINGS FOR 2024
As the 2024 post season gets closer, 13 regular season race champions are sitting comfortably in the playoff zone, with three spots left up for grabs. Current race winners are listed below:
- Kyle Larson (4 wins)
- Christopher Bell (3 wins)
- Tyler Reddick (2 wins)
- William Byron (3 wins)
- Ryan Blaney (2 wins)
- Denny Hamlin (3 wins)
- Chase Elliott (1 win)
- Brad Keselowski (1 win)
- Joey Logano (1 win)
- Austin Cindric (1 win)
- Daniel Suárez (1 win)
- Alex Bowman (1 win)
- Harrison Burton (1 win)
HOW TO WATCH NASCAR CUP SERIES PLAYOFFS AT HOME
Check back here for the NASCAR Cup Series news you need to be ready for the next stage of the season. And make sure to catch the remaining races of the season on USA or NBC with your DIRECTV subscription.
If you aren’t a DIRECTV customer yet, now’s the time to make the switch! NASCAR playoffs, football preseason, college ball and more are right around the corner, and DIRECTV has the best sports coverage. It’s a win-win!
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*If there are more than 16 race winners in the regular season, the top 16 in race wins move on to playoffs
Frequently Asked Questions
When do NASCAR Playoffs start?
The 2024 NASCAR Playoffs begin in September, with the first Round of 16 race taking place September 8th.
Where can I watch NASCAR?
You can watch NASCAR at home on USA or NBC, channels 242, check local listings for NBC affiliates in your area.
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