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