| Changes to NASCAR Points System in 2007 Move | | | | point bonuses can be achieved by leading a lap and |
| Emphasis to Race Victories | | | | for leading the most laps. In a good race, the winning |
| A shake-up of the points system used in NASCAR | | | | driver could potentially be ahead of his closest rival |
| races will award an extra five points to race winners, | | | | by 25 points in just one event. |
| beginning with the 2007 season events at Daytona | | | | The effects of the changes will be most prevalent |
| 500. | | | | during the Chase for the Nextel Cup. |
| The changes, announced by NASCAR in January '07, | | | | In previous years, the drivers eligible for the Chase |
| were devised to shift emphasis onto drivers winning | | | | were the 10 drivers with the highest number of |
| races rather than merely getting by through | | | | points after the final race in the season and any |
| consistently finishing within the top ten, a habit that | | | | other drivers whose point tally was within 400 points |
| was threatening to dull enthusiasm for the sport. | | | | of the highest scoring driver. |
| Referring to the point system changes in a | | | | Following the 2007 changes, only the twelve highest |
| statement, NASCAR CEO, Brian France, said "Winning | | | | scoring drivers will be eligible for the Chase and will be |
| is what this sport is all about. Nobody likes to see | | | | positioned to start the race based on points scored |
| drivers content to finish in the top 10. We want our | | | | for each victory in the season. Starting from a level |
| sport, especially during the Chase, to be more about | | | | 5000 points each, ten points will be awarded to |
| winning." | | | | drivers for each previous victory and the driver with |
| Each race victory will now result in 185 points, an | | | | the highest overall score will hold the best start |
| additional five points over victories achieved under | | | | position. |
| the previous point system. | | | | The decision to base Nextel Cup Chase competitors' |
| To gain an understanding of how an extra five points | | | | start positions entirely on their previous race victories |
| can increase the competitiveness of NASCAR racers, | | | | of the season is a sure-fire way to bring |
| just calculate the points in an example race scenario. | | | | competitiveness for the number one finish back to |
| A race victory will net the driver 185 points. Five | | | | NASCAR races. |