How the NASCAR Playoff Format Works

Analysis and Strategy

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The 2023 NASCAR Cup Series playoffs have arrived, and fans are eagerly awaiting the competition. Hendrick Motorsports has already secured two drivers, Kyle Larson and William Byron, in the 16-driver field. This marks the 18th straight season that the organization has had multiple drivers in the postseason, making it the longest streak in NASCAR history.

Before the 10-race playoffs begin, it is important to understand how the NASCAR playoff format works. Let’s take a closer look:

Structure of the Playoffs

The NASCAR playoffs consist of three rounds, leading up to the Championship Race. The Round of 16 includes races at Darlington Raceway, Kansas Speedway, and Bristol Motor Speedway. After the Bristol race, the four lowest-ranked playoff drivers based on points (who have not won in that round) will be eliminated.

The Round of 12 takes place at Texas Motor Speedway, Talladega Superspeedway, and the Charlotte Motor Speedway ROVAL. Similarly, after the race at Charlotte, the four lowest-ranked playoff drivers based on points (who have not won in that round) will be eliminated.

The Round of 8 is held at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Homestead-Miami Speedway, and Martinsville Speedway. Again, after the Martinsville race, the four lowest-ranked playoff drivers based on points (who have not won in that round) will be eliminated.

For the fourth consecutive year, the championship race will be held at Phoenix Raceway. The driver who finishes highest among the Championship 4 will be crowned the champion. It is worth mentioning that no stage points or playoff points are awarded in the “winner-take-all” finale.

Driver Standings and Playoffs

The current driver standings reveal that William Byron and Martin Truex Jr. are tied for the lead with 2,036 points each. Denny Hamlin follows closely with 2,025 points. The playoff structure allows drivers to carry playoff points with them into each round, and these points are added to their total after the field resets.

Driver Championship vs Owner Championship

The driver championship considers the driver’s performance, while the owner championship is solely based on the car number. It is important to note that the owner championship holds the same level of significance for teams as the driver championship. This year, the No. 9 car is competing in the owner playoffs, and Chase Elliott, who drives that car, will be focused on advancing his team in that championship.

Hendrick Motorsports has previously had entries in different postseason fields, as was the case in 2022 when Kyle Larson advanced to the Round of 8 in the owner playoffs, while not advancing in the driver playoffs. This year, the No. 9 team has made the owner playoffs, with Bubba Wallace competing in the driver playoffs.

Role of Non-Playoff Drivers

Even though they are not part of the playoffs, non-playoff drivers still compete in the final 10 races. In last year’s playoffs, all three races in the Round of 16 were won by non-playoff drivers, highlighting their impact on the competition.

Playoff Points and Their Accumulation

Playoff points are earned throughout the regular season and the first three rounds of the playoffs through stage wins and race wins. The top 10 drivers in the regular-season standings after the finale at Daytona International Speedway receive playoff points based on their position. The regular-season champion receives 15 bonus playoff points, while the second-place driver receives 10. Drivers finishing third through tenth receive playoff points on a sliding scale, ranging from eight to one point.

It is important to note that playoff points carry over into each of the first three rounds.

Hendrick Motorsports‘ Championship History

Hendrick Motorsports has an impressive history, with 14 Cup Series championships to their name, achieved by five different drivers. Jimmie Johnson holds the record for the most championships, winning seven titles between 2006 and 2016. Jeff Gordon won four championships, while Terry Labonte, Chase Elliott, and Kyle Larson each have one.

All of Jimmie Johnson’s championships, as well as those of Chase Elliott and Kyle Larson, were won in the playoff era since 2004. The recent championships have been earned in the elimination-format style of the playoffs, which has been in effect since 2014.

This year’s NASCAR Cup Series playoffs promise intense competition and exciting moments. Fans can expect to see strategies unfold, driver skill put to the test, and a deserving champion crowned at the end.

As the playoffs progress, it will be interesting to observe how the drivers navigate through the rounds and adapt their strategies to secure a coveted spot in the Championship 4.

Let the races begin!