Let's face it-- track talk can be a little intimidating.
Our Crash Course can help boost your trackside savvy by helping you understand NASCAR terms, the Chase Point System and NHRA Drag terms, American Le Mans Series unique four races within a race competition, and other racing circuits. We'll get you up to speed (pun intended) on the basic rules, explian the Sanctioning Bodies' regulations and help you identify the drivers' skills and racing strategies.
We also translate the racing lingo; a language unique to motorsports.
Track Chic Members can always ask questions, get answers and share their passion with other members in our Chic Chat forum … the Chat Room built exclusively for female race fans.
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NASCAR® has implemented a "point system", sometimes referred to as the "Chase for the Sprint Cup", wherein drivers earn points
for a variety of scenarios including leading a single lap (5 points) and leading the most laps (5 points).
Additionally, the winner of each Sprint Cup race receives 180 points. The runner-up scores 170 points. From there, the point total
declines in five-point increments for drivers who finish number 2-6; four points increments per driver for finishing number 7-11;
and three-point increments for finishers 12th place and lower.
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1st
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5,050
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2nd
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5,045
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3rd
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5,040
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4th
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5,035
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5th
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5,030
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6th
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5,025
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7th
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5,020
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8th
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5,015
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9th
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5,010
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10th
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5,005
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Note: If more than 10 drivers qualify, the additional drivers will have their points reset at 5,005.
In Sprint Cup racing, following the 26th race of the season, all drivers in the top 10, and any driver within 400 points of the leader,
earn a position in the Chase for the Sprint Cup.
All drivers in the Chase then have their point totals adjusted.
first-place driver in the standings = 5,050 points
second-place driver = 5,045, etc.
Incremental five-point drops will continue through 10th place (5,005 points).
If more than 10 drivers qualify for the Chase, the additional drivers will have their points reset at 5,005.
Owners are also rewarded in the points race but, unlike drivers, they earn points for merely attempting to make a race. If an owner
arrives with two drivers and one fails to qualify, the owner also receives points for the non-qualifying effort.
For the current season, starting spots are guaranteed to the top 35 finishers in owners' points from the previous season. However,
beginning with the sixth race, the top 35 finishers in current owners' points are guaranteed a spot.
The fastest non-qualifier on race day earns 31 points for his owner, three down from the 43rd-place points. The scale continues
downward for all non-qualifiers, with the lowest possible point awarded being one.
Manufacturers have a points race of their own also. For instance, if Chevy has a driver take first place in a race, Chevy earns nine
points for that race. six points are awarded for a second place finish, four points for third place and three points for fourth
place finishes.
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1st |
180 |
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23rd |
94 |
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2nd |
170 |
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24th |
91 |
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3rd |
165 |
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25th |
88 |
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4th |
160 |
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26th |
85 |
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5th |
155 |
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27th |
82 |
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6th |
150 |
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28th |
79 |
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7th |
146 |
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29th |
76 |
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8th |
142 |
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30th |
73 |
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9th |
138 |
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31st |
70 |
| 10th |
134 |
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32nd |
67 |
| 11th |
130 |
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33rd |
64 |
| 12th |
127 |
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34th |
61 |
| 13th |
124 |
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35th |
58 |
| 14th |
121 |
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36th |
55 |
| 15th |
118 |
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37th |
52 |
| 16th |
115 |
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38th |
49 |
| 17th |
112 |
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39th |
46 |
| 18th |
109 |
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40th |
43 |
| 19th |
106 |
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41st |
40 |
| 20th |
103 |
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42nd |
37 |
| 21st |
100 |
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43rd |
34 |
| 22nd |
97 |
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Drivers earn five bonus points for leading a lap.
An additional five bonus points are awarded to the driver who leads the most laps.
*The Track Chic website is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by the NASCAR® or NHRA® organization. NASCAR® is a
registered trademark owned by the National Association of Stock Car Auto Racing, Inc. NASCAR.com is the official website for
NASCAR®. NHRA® Is a registered trademark owned by the National Hot Rod Association. NHRA.com is the official website for NHRA®.
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