NASCAR’s return to the Chase for the Championship changes everything. Consistency matters again. Wins make a difference. And pressure shows up early, especially at America’s Home for Racing.
What’s The Format?
- The field sizes for The Chase in each series remain the same — the top 16 drivers in the Cup Series, 12 in O’Reilly and 10 in Trucks — but all drivers qualify based on regular-season points. The “win-and-you’re-in” rule that provided regular-season winners with automatic playoff berths is no more.
- Race winners now collect 55 points, a 15-point increase over the previous points system. Points awards for all other positions and stage results remain the same, but bankable playoff points are no longer part of the format.
- Points will be reset for each series’ Chase field with a 25-point premium awarded to the regular-season champion. Top seeds will start The Chase with 2,100 points, 2,075 for the second seed and 2,065 for the third, with a five-point drop for each seed after.
- The Cup Series’ Chase spans the final 10 races of the season, with nine Chase races for the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series and seven in the Craftsman Truck Series.
- The driver with the most points at the end of the season will be the series champion.
How Does It Change The Coca-Cola 600?
The Coca-Cola 600 – returning Sunday, May 24 – has always been NASCAR’s toughest test of man and machine. With the Chase back in play, this crown jewel race carries even more weight. Strong finishes here set the tone for the entire season. A win at Charlotte is no longer just a trophy. It is momentum. It is confidence. It is separation.
Every lap matters. Every pit call matters. Drivers leave the Coca-Cola 600 knowing exactly where they stand, and knowing how little margin there is for error.
When Does The Chase Come To Charlotte?
The spotlight turns back to America’s Home for Racing Oct. 9-11, for a proving ground where championship paths are defined. The pressure is real. The intensity is higher. One race can change everything.
With the Chase format rewarding consistency and performance when it matters most, Charlotte once again sits at the center of the championship conversation. Drivers are not just racing the field. They are racing the clock, the points, and each other for a chance to reach Homestead with a title still in sight.
This is where seasons swing. This is where contenders prove they belong.
Click here to see it firsthand.
