NASCAR has revealed a new championship format that will "put a greater emphasis" on drivers winning races during the season as it expand the Chase for the Sprint Cup to 16 drivers.
The new format implements a brand new strategy: round-by-round advancements that will eventually reward a deserving champion.
"We have arrived at a format that makes every race matter even more, diminishes points racing, puts a premium on winning races and concludes with a best-of-the-best, first-to-the-finish line showdown race - all of which is exactly what fans want," said Brian France, NASCAR chairman and CEO. "We have looked at a number of concepts for the last three years through fan research, models and simulations, and also maintained extensive dialogue with our drivers, teams and partners. The new Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup will be thrilling, easy to understand and help drive our sport's competition to a whole new level."
The format, listed by NASCAR in a company press release, includes:
- A victory in the first 26 races will "likely" guarantee a driver a berth in the 10-race Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup.
- An expanding Chase field from 12 to 16 drivers. Those who make it will advance to the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Chase Grid.
- The number of championship drivers in contention for the NASCAR Sprint Cup championship will decrease after every three Chase races, from 16 to start in the Chase Grid, to 12 after the third Chase race, to eight after the sixth Chase race, and finally four after the ninth Chase race.
- The first three races of the Chase will now be known as the Challenger Round. Races 30-32 will be known as the Contender Round, races 33-35 will be the Eliminator Round and race No. 36 will be the NASCAR Sprint Cup Championship.
- A single win by an eligible driver in any Chase race clinches the driver a spot in the next Chase round.
- Four drivers will enter the NASCAR Sprint Cup Championship with a chance for the Cup, with the highest finisher capturing the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series title.
"This is pretty clear: You have to win, you have to compete at a higher level, you have to take more chances," France said, according to the Associated Press.
The top 15 drivers with the most wins over the first 26 races earn a spot in the Chase grid, as long as they finish in the top 30 in points and attempted to qualify for "every race," according to NASCAR.
If there aren't 16 winners during the first 26 races, the remaining positions will go to winless drivers with the highest points. If there are 16 or more different winners during those races, the tie-breaker will go to the driver with the most points.
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