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Sprint Cup Chase for the Championship
2014 Rules/News

For see CLASSIC standings, if the CHASE was used from 1975-2003 and Ancient Chaseology, seasons before 2004
go to the Chase History page

Previous Chase Pages / News from 2004-current
2013 | 2012 | 2011 | 2010 | 2009
2008 | 2007 | 2004-2006

The Ten 2014 Chase for the Sprint Cup Races

Challenger Round

1) September 14 - Chicagoland Speedway, 1.5 miles
2013 race Won by #20-Matt Kenseth, Chase Leader #20-Matt Kenseth +8 pts

2) September 21 - New Hampshire Motor Speedway, 1.058 miles
2013 race Won by #20-Matt Kenseth, Chase Leader #20-Matt Kenseth +14 pts

3) September 28 - Dover International Speedway, 1 mile
2013 race Won by #48-Jimmie Johnson, Chase Leader #20-Matt Kenseth +8 pts

the four drivers lowest in points are eliminated from the Chase
leaving 12 drivers in the Chase

Contender Round

4) October 5 - Kansas Speedway, 1.5 miles (held Oct 21st in 2012)
2013 race Won by #29-Kevin Harvick, Chase Leader #20-Matt Kenseth +3 pts

5) October 11 - Charlotte Motor Speedway, 1.5 miles
2013 race Won by #2-Brad Keselowski, Chase Leader #20-Matt Kenseth +4 pts

6) October 19 - Talladega Superspeedway, 2.66 miles (held Oct 7th in 2012)
2013 race Won by #1-Jamie McMurray, Chase Leader #48-Jimmie Johnson +4 pts

the four drivers lowest in points are eliminated from the Chase
leaving 8 drivers in the Chase

Eliminator Round

7) October 26 - Martinsville Speedway, .526 mile
2013 race Won by #24-Jeff Gordon, Chase Leader #20-Matt Kenseth +0 pts

8) November 2 - Texas Motor Speedway, 1.5 miles
2013 race Won by #48-Jimmie Johnson, Chase Leader #48-Jimmie Johnson +7 pts

9) November 9 - Phoenix International Raceway, 1 mile
2013 race Won by #29-Kevin Harvick, Chase Leader #48-Jimmie Johnson +28 pts

the four drivers lowest in points are eliminated from the Chase
leaving 4 drivers to vie for the Championship at Homestead

NASCAR Sprint Cup title race

10) November 16 - Homestead-Miami Speedway, 1.5 miles
2013 race Won by #11-Denny Hamlin, Chase Leader/2013 Champ #48-Jimmie Johnson +19

Some links

How NASCAR Sprint Cup Series points are awarded? click here

How NASCAR Sprint Cup Series points WERE awarded? [1972-2010]click here

2014 NASCAR Sprint Cup Schedule

2014 NASCAR Sprint Cup Race Lineups / Results

Past Chase Rules / Seasons

2013 | 2012 | 2011 | 2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2004-2006

For see CLASSIC standings, if the CHASE was used from 1975-2003 and Ancient Chaseology, seasons before 2004
go to the Chase History page

The lineup for the Chase for the 2014 Sprint Cup

Qualified for the 2014 Chase for the Sprint Cup(11 years/chases)
1) #2-Brad Keselowski, 3rd time, 4 wins
2) #24-Jeff Gordon, 10th time, 3 wins
3) #88-Dale Earnhardt Jr., 7th time, 3 wins
4) #48-Jimmie Johnson, 11th time, 3 wins
5) #22-Joey Logano, 2nd time, 3 wins
6) #4-Kevin Harvick, 8th time, 2 wins
7) #99-Carl Edwards, 7th time, 2 wins
8) #18-Kyle Busch, 7th time, 1 win
9) #11-Denny Hamlin, 8th times, 1 win
10) #41-Kurt Busch, 8th time, 1 win
11) #5-Kasey Kahne, 5th time, 1 win
12) #43-Aric Almirola, 1st time, 1 win
13) #47-A.J. Allmendinger, 1st time, 1 win
14) #20-Matt Kenseth, 10th time, 0 wins
15) #16-Greg Biffle, 7th time, 0 wins
16) #31-Ryan Newman, 6th time, 0 wins
(ties are broken by wins, 2nds, 3rds, etc)

Current Chase Points Standings and Drivers Points Standings without the Chase after each race

2014 NASCAR Sprint Cup Chase Standings:
[after Richmond, race 26 of 36]
1) #2-Brad Keselowski [4 wins], 2012 points
2) #24-Jeff Gordon [3 wins] 2009, -3
3) #88-Dale Earnhardt Jr. [3 wins] 2009, -3
4) #48-Jimmie Johnson [3 wins] 2009, -3
5) #22-Joey Logano [3 wins] 2009, -3
6) #4-Kevin Harvick [2 wins] 2006, -6
7) #99-Carl Edwards [2 wins] 2006, -6
8) #18-Kyle Busch [1 win] 2003, -9
9) #11-Denny Hamlin [1 win] 2003, -9
10) #41-Kurt Busch [1 win] 2003, -9
11) #5-Kasey Kahne [1 win] 2003, -9
12) #43-Aric Almirola [1 win] 2003, -9
13) #47-A.J. Allmendinger [1 win] 2003, -9
14) #20-Matt Kenseth, 2000, -12
15) #16-Greg Biffle, 2000, -12
16) #31-Ryan Newman, 2000, -12
(ties are broken by wins, 2nds, 3rds, etc)
See the Chase Points Standings page (pdf)
and see OFFICIAL race results & points standings on the Official Race & Points Report (pdf).(9-6-2014)
Top 25 in 2014 Sprint Cup Driver Points Standings (not the Chase):
[after Richmond, race 26 of 36]
(using current points system, but not the Chase rules)
1) #24-Jeff Gordon(C2) 914
2) #88-Dale Earnhardt Jr.(C3) 883, -31
3) #2-Brad Keselowski(C1) 830, -84
4) #22-Joey Logano(C5) 829, -85
5) #48-Jimmie Johnson(C4) 802, -112
6) #20-Matt Kenseth(C14) 797, -117
7) #4-Kevin Harvick(C6) 788, -126
8) #31-Ryan Newman(C16) 782, -132
9) #99-Carl Edwards(C7) 777, -137
10) #16-Greg Biffle(C15) 753, -161
11) #15-Clint Bowyer 746, -168
12) #42-Kyle Larson 737, -177
13) #5-Kasey Kahne(C11) 735, -179
14) #1-Jamie McMurray 706, -208
15) #27-Paul Menard 701, -213
16) #3-Austin Dillon 698, -216
17) #18-Kyle Busch(C8) 687, -227
18) #55-Brian Vickers 681, -233
19) #11-Denny Hamlin(C9) 659, -255
20) #41-Kurt Busch(C10) 651, -263
21) #9-Marcos Ambrose 645, -269
22) #43-Aric Almirola(C12) 628, -286
23) #47-AJ Allmendinger(C13) 611, -303
24) #13-Casey Mears 596, -318
25) #78-Martin Truex Jr. 580, -334
(C# is chase driver and current Chase position)
See UNOFFICIAL drivers championship points standings on the Unofficial Drivers Points Standings (pdf).
See the UNOFFICIAL owner points standings on the Unofficial Owners Points Standings page (pdf).
See OFFICIAL race results & points standings on the Official Race & Points Report (pdf).(9-6-2014)

Some news about the 2014 Chase for the Sprint Cup

added some images of cars that will be driven by Chase drivers, with yellow numbers, yellow windshield tape and splitter: #2 Miller Lite, #4 Budweiser & Jimmy Johns, #11 FedEx Express & FedEx Office, #18 M&M's, #22 Shell / Pennzoil, #24 Drive to End Hunger, #41 Haas Automation, #48 Lowe's, #88 National Guard schemes that will run in the Chase
Some clinch scenarios at Richmond: Only #31-Ryan Newman controls his own destiny, no matter who wins at Richmond. If there is a repeat 2014 winner (or a Kenseth victory), Newman is guaranteed a spot in the Chase if he finishes 41st or better; or 42nd with at least one lap led; or 43rd and the most laps led. If there is a new winner (that is not Kenseth), Newman is guaranteed a Chase spot with a finish of 18th or better; 19th and at least one lap led; or 20th and the most laps led.
#16-Greg Biffle controls his own destiny if there is a repeat winner. If there is a repeat 2014 winner (or if Kenseth or Newman win), Biffle is guaranteed a spot in the Chase if he finishes 22nd or better; or 23rd with at least one lap led; or 24th and the most laps led. If there is a new winner (that is not Kenseth or Newman), Biffle needs to out-point Newman by 19 points and stay ahead of #15-Clint Bowyer and #42-Kyle Larson. Clint Bowyer and Kyle Larson are the only other two drivers who can clinch a spot in the Chase without a victory.
The following drivers can only make the Chase with a win at Richmond (and a top-30 spot in the standings): Paul Menard, Austin Dillon, Jamie McMurray, Brian Vickers, Marcos Ambrose, Casey Mears, Martin Truex Jr., Tony Stewart, Ricky Stenhouse Jr., Danica Patrick, Justin Allgaier, Michael Annett, David Gilliland, David Ragan and Cole Whitt.(NASCAR)(9-202104)
How to clinch a Chase spot at Atlanta: #15-Clint Bowyer, #16-Greg Biffle and #42-Kyle Larson are playing a high stakes musical chairs game of sorts. At the moment, Bowyer and Biffle sit in the final two seats to qualify for the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup with Larson standing on the outside looking in at 17th on the current Chase Grid. All three drivers need a victory to assure themselves spots in the Chase - and avoid being bumped down from their respective perches with a win by a competitor currently ranked lower. Entering this Sunday's Oral-B USA 500 at Atlanta, Larson trails Biffle by a hefty 26 points for the final seed on the grid, while Biffle looms only five points behind Bowyer for the minimal breathing room afforded by the 15th spot.
For the winless drivers, here are the clinch scenarios for Atlanta:
1) If there is a repeat winner, the top-three winless drivers would clinch if they are at least 45 points ahead of the fourth highest winless driver.
2) If there is a new winner at Atlanta, two winless drivers remain guaranteed to make the Chase. In this scenario, the new winner would clinch, if he/she finishes the race at least 49 points ahead of 31st. The top-two winless drivers would clinch if they are at least 45 points ahead of the third-highest winless driver.
3) #20-Matt Kenseth controls his own destiny. A seventh-place finish locks him in no matter who wins at Atlanta.(NASCAR)(8-29-2014)
Michigan Chase Clinch Scenarios UPDATE: #88-Dale Earnhardt Jr., #2-Brad Keselowski, #24-Jeff Gordon, #48-Jimmie Johnson, #99-Carl Edwards, #22-Joey Logano and #4-Kevin Harvick have clinched a spot in the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup, assuming they attempt to qualify for the remaining four races.
If there is a repeat 2014 winner in the Pure Michigan 400 at Michigan International Speedway, any driver with one win and a locked-up top 30 spot will clinch a spot in the Chase. Potentials: #18-Kyle Busch, #11-Denny Hamlin, #43-Aric Almirola, #41-Kurt Busch and #47-AJ Allmendinger. To clinch a top 30 spot, the clinching driver must be 145 points ahead of 31st place leaving Michigan.
If there is a new winner, one-win drivers could potentially clinch a spot. But there would still be the potential for 16 different winners, and a winless points leader -- meaning a winner would be bounced from the Chase. So there are no guarantees here.
Because he is so high in the points, if #20-Matt Kenseth wins, he would clinch a spot, even though it would be his first win. Other high-ranking winless drivers could potentially clinch with a win and help.(NASCAR)(8-15-2014)
UPDATE: Assuming they attempt to qualify for the remaining 3 races in the regular season, the following drivers have clinched a spot for the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup today: #47-AJ Allmendinger, #43-Aric Almirola, #41-Kurt Busch, #18-Kyle Busch, #11-Denny Hamlin.(NASCAR)(8-17-2014)
Chase clinch scenarios at Watkins Glen: Drivers with multiple wins and who cannot fall out of the top 30 in points have clinched a spot in the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup, assuming they attempt to qualify for the remaining races. After Pocono, seven fit that category: #88-Dale Earnhardt Jr., #2-Brad Keselowski, #24-Jeff Gordon, #48-Jimmie Johnson, #99-Carl Edwards, #22-Joey Logano and #4-Kevin Harvick. If there is a repeat 2014 winner this weekend, any driver with one win and a locked-up top 30 spot will clinch a spot in the Chase. Potentials: #18-Kyle Busch, #11-Denny Hamlin, #43-Aric Almirola and #41-Kurt Busch.
If there is a new winner, a good bit of math will come into play post-race. Kyle Busch, the highest ranked of the one-win drivers, could potentially lock up a spot with only one win (though it would be difficult). If #20-Matt Kenseth, who has clinched a top-30 spot, wins, he could be high enough in points to clinch a spot, even though it would be his first win. The same applies to #31-Ryan Newman and #15-Clint Bowyer. For Kenseth, Newman and Bowyer, a win would clinch them if they have enough points to guarantee a points position ahead of the lowest ranked winner after Richmond. After Watkins Glen, the clinching driver must be 193 points ahead of 31st place.(NASCAR.com)(8-8-2014)
Four drivers can clinch chase spot at Pocono UPDATE: Four more drivers cleared the two toughest hurdles for entry into the 2014 Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup, joining #88-Dale Earnhardt Jr. and #2-Brad Keselowski, both of whom locked up a spot on the Chase Grid at New Hampshire. At Indianapolis, #24-Jeff Gordon, #48-Jimmie Johnson, #99-Carl Edwards and #22-Joey Logano all either scored a second win (Gordon) or clinched a top 30 points spot (Johnson, Edwards and Logano). Now, those six drivers need only to attempt to qualify for the remaining six races to "officially" earn a spot in the Chase. As a reminder, any driver with multiple wins guarantees himself a spot in the top 15 winners (or top 16, if the points leader after race No. 26 has a win). Any driver who left Indy with a 289 point lead on 31st place clinched a top 30 points spot. Now, the series heads to Pocono Raceway, where four more drivers have a chance to clinch a spot in the Chase. This weekend, the magic number is 241 - any driver 241 points ahead of 31st place clinches a top 30 spot. If a driver does that, and has multiple wins, he clinches a spot. Those who can do it this weekend: #4-Kevin Harvick, #11-Denny Hamlin, #18-Kyle Busch and #43-Aric Almirola. Harvick's two wins mean he needs only to clinch a top 30 spot - a near certainty, as he needs to score only eight points at Pocono to do so (and that's if 31st place David Gilliland wins and leads the most laps). Busch has clinched a top 30 spot, but needs another win to clinch. Hamlin has yet to clinch a top 30 spot. He would clinch with a win and some help. Almirola would need to win this weekend to clinch, and get a good bit of help to also lock up a top 30 spot.(NASCAR)(7-31-2014)
UPDATE: #4-Harvick's second place finish gave him a 296 point lead over 31st place #38-Gilliland. Harvick was the only driver to officially clich a Chase spot at Pocono.(8-4-2014)
Chase drivers can't tire test at Homestead: NASCAR will not allow championship-eligible drivers to participate in a Goodyear tire test at Homestead-Miami Speedway. But, to ensure fairness, NASCAR will allow all organizations represented in the Chase for the Sprint Cup championship to participate in the Aug. 26 test because Homestead is the site of the title-deciding season finale. Teams will have to send a driver not qualified for the Chase to the tire test. The restrictions create a dilemma for Team Penske, which has both #2-Brad Keselowski and #22-Joey Logano already qualified for the Chase. The two-car team does not have another Sprint Cup driver on its roster. Hendrick Motorsports also has three of its four drivers qualified. Should #5-Kasey Kahne qualify for the Chase, Hendrick would have to look outside its immediate organization for a substitute.(Associated Press/ESPN.com)(7-30-2014)
Chase Grid Clinch Update: Those drivers with multiple wins and who cannot fall out of the top 30 in points have clinched a spot in the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup, assuming they attempt to qualify for the remaining races. As was announced after the race in New Hampshire, Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Brad Keselowski have clinched a spot in the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup, assuming they attempt to qualify for the remaining seven races. Jeff Gordon and Matt Kenseth have clinched a top 30 spot, but do not have multiple wins. At Indianapolis, the following drivers can clinch a Chase spot with a win or by clinching a top 30 spot: Gordon, Jimmie Johnson, Carl Edwards, Kyle Busch, Joey Logano, Denny Hamlin and Kevin Harvick. The magic number for a top 30 clinch: 289. Any driver 289 points ahead of 31st place leaving Indy will clinch a top 30 points position.(NASCAR)(7-27-2014)
Earnhardt Jr. and Keselowski clinch Chase spot: #88-Dale Earnhardt Jr. and #2-Brad Keselowski have clinched a spot in the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup, assuming they attempt to qualify for the remaining seven races in the regular season. Both Earnhardt and Keselowski have fulfilled two of the three requirements to guarantee their spot in the Chase - multiple wins and locking in to the top 30 in points. With Keselowski's third win of the season this past weekend he could be seeded first in the Chase - each win is worth three Chase bonus points. A number of other drivers can join Earnhardt and Keselowski as Chase clinchers. #24-Jeff Gordon has already clinched a top 30 spot, but with a single win has yet to clinch the "wins" portion of the criteria. A win at Indy would clinch him a spot. To clinch a top 30 spot, the clinching driver must be 289 points ahead of 31st place after Indianapolis.(NASCAR Wire Service)(7-15-2014)
How to Clinch a Chase Spot at NHMS: Any driver with multiple victories who leaves New Hampshire Motor Speedway 337 points ahead of 31st in the points will clinch a spot in the Chase. #88-Dale Earnhardt Jr. enters the weekend with a 368-point lead on 31st in the standings and should clinch a Chase spot unless he has a bad day. #48-Jimmie Johnson has a 340-point lead on 31st, so if he maintains that - or loses no more than three points on 31st in the point standings, he would clinch a Chase spot. #2-Brad Keselowski has a 330-point lead on 31st in the point standings and could clinch a Chase spot by topping the 337-point threshold. Points leader #24-Jeff Gordon would clinch a spot with his second victory of the season.(Motor Racing Network)(7-12-2014)
MORE: The magic number to clinch a top 30 spot is 337; any driver 337 points ahead of 31st place will clinch a regular season top 30 spot. The following drivers can both clinch a top 30 spot AND have multiple wins, and therefore accomplish two of the three criteria for locking up a Chase spot: #24-Jeff Gordon (with a win), #88-Dale Earnhardt Jr., #48-Jimmie Johnson, #2-Brad Keselowski and #22-Joey Logano. Gordon has already clinched a top 30 spot. The third criterion to earn a Chase spot is attempting to qualify for every race.(NASCAR)(7-13-2014)

The RULES for the 2014 Chase for the Sprint Cup

NASCAR's new Chase structure places a premium on winning: The top 15 drivers with the most wins over the first 26 races will earn a spot in the Chase - provided they have finished in the top 30 in points and attempted to qualify for every race. Should there be 16 or more different winners during the first 26 races, the only winless driver who can earn a Chase spot would be the points leader after 26 races.
NASCAR Introduces Special Paint Scheme Elements For Chase Contenders: Celebrating the accomplishments of those drivers who will contend for the 2014 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series championship, NASCAR has released several new elements to the paint schemes of race cars making the 16-driver Chase Grid.
Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup-eligible cars will have the roof number, the front splitter / front fascia and the windshield header colored yellow, as well as have a Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup logo affixed to the front-quarter panel of their race car.
As part of NASCAR's emphasis on winning races all season long, this celebratory paint scheme will be placed on a driver's car to begin the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup, at Chicagoland Speedway on Sept. 14. Once a driver is eliminated after one of the Chase's first three rounds, the paint scheme will be removed from the car.
These changes serve as a visible symbol of the new Chase format. In addition, the paint scheme elements will ensure that fans are able to easily identify each championship contender as NASCAR's playoffs progress. Announced by NASCAR Chairman and CEO Brian France in January, the new championship format expands the Chase field to 16 drivers, up from 12 in previous years, and implements a new round-by-round advancement format that ultimately will reward a battle-tested, worthy champion. A victory in the first 26 races all but guarantees a berth in the 10-race Chase, which will air exclusively on the ESPN family of networks. The number of championship drivers in contention for the championship decreases after every three Chase races, culminating with four drivers racing for the title at Homestead-Miami Speedway in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Championship, scheduled for November 16.(NASCAR)(7-15-2014)
NASCAR Announces Chase For The NASCAR Sprint Cup Championship Format Change: NASCAR announced a new championship format today that will put greater emphasis on winning races all season long, expands the current Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup field to 16 drivers, and implements a new round-by-round advancement format that ultimately will reward a battle-tested, worthy 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."

Changes announced by France to the championship format include:
- A victory in the first 26 races all but guarantees a berth in the 10-race Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup - a change that will put an unprecedented importance on winning a NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race all season long
- Expanding the Chase field from 12 to 16 drivers, with those drivers advancing to what now will be known as the NASCAR 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; 12 after Chase race #3; eight after Chase race #6; and four after Chase race #9
- The first three races of the Chase (27-29) will 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 #36 will be the NASCAR Sprint Cup Championship
- A win by a championship-eligible driver in any Chase race automatically clinches the winning driver a spot in the next Chase round
- Four drivers will enter the NASCAR Sprint Cup Championship with a chance at the title, with the highest finisher among those four capturing the prestigious NASCAR Sprint Cup Series championship.

Eligibility for the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup: The top 15 drivers with the most wins over the first 26 races will earn a spot in the NASCAR Chase Grid - provided they have finished in the top 30 in points and attempted to qualify for every race (except in rare instances). The 16th Chase position will go to the points leader after race #26, if he/she does not have a victory. In the event that there are 16 or more different winners over 26 races, the only winless driver who can earn a Chase Grid spot would be the points leader after 26 races.
If there are fewer than 16 different winners in the first 26 races, the remaining Chase Grid positions will go to those winless drivers highest in points. If there are 16 or more winners in the first 26 races, the ties will first be broken by number of wins, followed by NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver points.

As was implemented in 2011, prior to the start of the Chase, all Chase Grid drivers will have their points adjusted to 2,000, with three additional bonus points added to their total for each win in the first 26 races.

Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Structure After the third Chase race, the Chase Grid will be left with 12 drivers. After the sixth Chase race, the field will drop to eight drivers, and following the ninth Chase race, only four drivers will remain in championship contention for the NASCAR Sprint Cup title.
The first round (races 27-29) will be called the Challenger Round. If a driver in the Chase Grid wins a Challenger Round race, the driver automatically advances to the next round. The remaining available positions 1-12 that have not been filled based upon wins will be based on points. Each will then have their points reset to 3,000.
The second round (races 30-32) will be called the Contender Round. Likewise, if a driver in the top 12 in points wins a race in the Contender Round, the driver automatically advances to the next round. The remaining available positions 1-8 that have not been filled based upon wins will be based on points. Each will then have their points reset to 4,000.
The third round (races 33-35) will be called the Eliminator Round. If a driver in the top eight in points wins a race in the Eliminator Round, the driver automatically advances to the next round. The remaining available positions 1-4 that have not been filled based upon wins will be based on points. Each will then have their points reset to 5,000.
Additionally, drivers who are eliminated in the Contender and Eliminator Rounds will have their points readjusted. Each eliminated driver will return to the Chase-start base of 2,000 (plus any regular season wins bonus points), with their accumulated points starting with race #27 added. This will allow all drivers not in contention for the NASCAR Sprint Cup title to continue to race for the best possible season-long standing, with final positions fifth-through-16th still up for grabs.
Four Drivers, First-to-the-Finish Championship Finale The 36th and final race of the season will be the NASCAR Sprint Cup Championship. Simply stated, the highest finisher in that race among the remaining four eligible drivers will win the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series title. Bonus points for laps led will not apply in the season finale, so the official finishing position alone will decide the champion.
All rules outlined above also apply to the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series owner championship structure.(NASCAR)(1-30-2014)
Chase For The NASCAR Sprint Cup Championship Format Change FAQ: NASCAR Q&A about the new Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup:
Q. Does this new Chase format emphasize winning?
A. Absolutely. The easiest way to make the new Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup is to win. And winning is also the fastest way to advance in the Chase and become one of the four drivers competing in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Championship at Homestead-Miami Speedway.
Q. How will the Chase Grid drivers be selected?
A. Positions 1-16 on the Chase Grid will be determined by the drivers with the greatest number of NASCAR Sprint Cup Series wins after the first 26 races. However, the 16th position is reserved for the points leader if he/she does not have a win.
Q. How will the Chase Grid be seeded?
A. All drivers will have their points total reset to 2,000 points. Drivers receive 3 additional bonus points for each win during the fir st 26 races.
Q. Is there a minimum points standing that a driver who records a win during the first 26 races must achieve to make the Chase Grid?
A. Yes. A driver must be in the Top 30 in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series points following the first 26 races AND have attempted to qualify for all of the first 26 races.
Q. What if a driver is prevented from competing in one or more of the first 26 races due to injury or illness?
A. NASCAR, for rare instances, can waive the requirement of attempting to qualify for all of the first 26 races as long as the driver is in the Top 30 in points.
Q. Which races are the advancement races?
A. Once the field is reset after the 26th event, there are advancement races following the 29th event (Dover); 32nd event (Talladega); and 35th event (Phoenix). There will be four drivers competing for the Sprint Cup Championship at Homestead.
Q. Will lap leader bonus points still be applied?
A. In all but the final race, bonus points for laps led still will be awarded in the Challenger, Contender and Eliminator Rounds. However, at the NASCAR Sprint Cup Championship, the four drivers will start the race tied and there will be no bonus points .for laps led, etc. The highest finisher among that group will be the champion.
Q. What happens to a Chase Grid driver's points if he/she doesn't advance to the next round?
A. Drivers who don't advance to the next round will have their point totals reset to the Chase-start base of 2,000 (with any regular-season wins bonus points), plus the additional points they've earned during the Chase.(NASCAR)(1-30-2014)
New points system, Earnhardt Jr. would had won championship in 2013: In announcing major changes to the Chase for the Sprint Cup on Thursday, NASCAR chairman Brian France touted an emphasis on winning as a primary reason behind the format. But it turns out last year's champion, if the new rules were applied, would have been #88-Dale Earnhardt Jr., who didn't win a race. According to economist Andrew Maness, who runs the nascarnomics.com site, Earnhardt would have made the final race along with Jimmie Johnson, Kevin Harvick and Jeff Gordon. NASCAR's Mike Forde confirmed the lineup. The driver who won the most races last season, Matt Kenseth with seven, would not have been eligible for the season finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway.(USA Today)(1-31-2014)

Some 2014 Chase News, Notes and Facts

Only four drivers made up points deficit in finale: Since the inception of the position-based points system in 1975, only four drivers have made up a points deficit in the season finale: Richard Petty in 1979 (made up two points on Darrell Waltrip), Alan Kulwicki in 1992 (made up 30 points on Davey Allison), Jimmie Johnson in 2010 (made up 15 points on Denny Hamlin) and Tony Stewart in 2011 (made up three points on Carl Edwards). Note: Stewart's comeback is the only one made under the current one-point-per-position structure.(NASCAR)(11-17-2013)
Four drivers have raced into the Chase: Four drivers have come from outside the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup cut-off to make the Chase at Richmond in the previous championship format 2004-2013]:
· Jeremy Mayfield in 2004 made up a 55-point deficit
· Ryan Newman in 2005 made up a one-point deficit
· Kasey Kahne in 2006 made up a 30-point deficit
· Brian Vickers in 2009 made up a 20-point deficit
(all using the old point system)
· Brad Keselowski and Denny Hamlin are the two drivers that clinched the Wild Card in 2011 to make the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup. Keselowski was 11th in points with three wins; Hamlin was12th in points with one win.
· Kasey Kahne and Jeff Gordon are the two drivers that clinched the Wild Card in 2012 to make the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup. Kahne was 11th in points with two wins; Gordon was 12th in points with one win.
· Due to a rare instance in the final race of the regular season that resulted in penalties being issued; a 13th car (Jeff Gordon's #24) was added to the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup.(NASCAR)