CHARLOTTE, N.C. — NASCAR has overhauled its championship format to create an elimination, winner-take-all system designed to reward “the most battle-tested” driver at the end of the season.
The Chase for the Sprint Cup championship will now be a 16-driver field with a premium placed on winning.
NASCAR will cut four drivers from the field after every three races in the 10-race Chase, leaving four eligible drivers headed into the season finale. The first of those four to cross the finish line will be crowned champion.
NASCAR chairman Brian France said Thursday that the new format has no math and no bonus points and is “simple as it gets.”
