Points System Explained:

The winner of each race will receive 185 points. The second place finisher will receive 170 points and then the point total declines in five-point increments for places two through six, points awarded drop four points per driver for positions seven through 11 and three-point increments for finishers in 12th place or lower.

Every driver who starts a race is guaranteed at least 34 points for finishing, even if the finish last.  The points are compiled over a 36-race season, beginning in February and ending in November.  The driver with the most points at the end of the season is declared the cup champion.

There are three basic ways to score points.

• Finishing Order: Depending on your finishing position, you could receive anywhere from 185 points to 34 points. (See chart.)

• Lead The Most Laps Bonus: If a driver leads more laps in a single race than any other driver, they receive 5 bonus points.

• Lead a Lap Bonus: If a driver leads at least one lap during a race, even under caution, they receive 5 bonus points.

In Nextel Cup series, following the 26th race of the season, all drivers in the NASCAR Top 12 drivers will earn a berth in the "Chase for the Championship."  All drivers in the "chase" will have their point totals adjusted to 5,000 points.  The drivers will be "seeded" based on the number of wins amassed during the regular season.

Past Seasons:

In the NASCAR's Winston Cup and Busch series every car driver who starts a race is guaranteed at least 34 points for finishing even if the finish last.  The points are compiled over a 36-race season (34 Busch), beginning in February and ending in November.  The driver with the most points at the end of the season is declared the Winston Cup or Busch champion.

There are three basic ways to score points.

• Lead The Most Laps Bonus: If a driver leads more laps in a single race than any other driver, they receive 5 bonus points.

• Lead a Lap Bonus: If a driver leads at least one lap during a race, even under caution, they receive 5 bonus points.

• Finishing Order: Depending on your finishing position, you could receive anywhere from 175 points to 34 points. (See chart below.)

The points system is based on consistency, not just winning the most races throughout a season. 

At the end of the season, if two drivers have the same number of points, the driver who has won the most races that season wins the tiebreaker. If the drivers are still tied, they are separated by second place, third place, fourth place finishes, etc. until the tie is broken.