The Chase for the Sprint Cup is here after 26 races. Sixteen drivers will race for the title beginning this weekend at Chicagoland Speedway.
Drivers i the Chase have had their point total reset to 2000. Drivers earned three bonus points for any win in the first 26 races. Ties in the standings are determined by best finishes. Jimmie Johnson enters as the No. 1 seed.
The field will be cut to 12 drivers after the completion of the Challenger Round at Dover (the third race in the Chase). Any driver winning advances to the next round. The points will be reset before the start of the next round for those who advance.
The field will be trimmed to eight drivers after the completion of the Contender Round at Talladega (the sixth race in the Chase). Any driver winning advances to the next round. The points will be reset before the start of the next round for those who advance.
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The field will be cut to the final four after the completion of the Eliminator Round at Phoenix (the ninth race in the Chase). Any driver winning advances to the next round. The points will be reset before the start of the next round for those who advance.
The driver who finishes best among the four competing for the title in the season finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway wins the crown. Bonus points for laps led will not apply to the title contenders in this race only. Kevin Harvick won last year’s championship.
Here’s the standings entering the Chase:
1 - Jimmie Johnson (4 wins) ... 2012 points
2 - Kyle Busch (4 wins) ... 2012 points
3 - Matt Kenseth (4 wins) ... 2012 points
4 - Joey Logano (3 wins) ... 2009 points
5 - Kevin Harvick (2 wins) ... 2006 points
6 - Dale Earnhardt Jr. (2 wins) ... 2006 points
7 - Kurt Busch (2 wins) ... 2006 points
8 - Carl Edwards (2 wins) ... 2006 points
9 - Brad Keselowski (1 win) ... 2003 points
10 - Martin Truex Jr. (1 win) ... 2003 points
11 - Denny Hamlin (1 win) ... 2003 points
12 - Jamie McMurray (0 wins) ... 2000 points
13 - Jeff Gordon (0 wins) ... 2000 points
14 - Ryan Newman (0 wins) ... 2000 points
15 - Paul Menard (0 wins) ... 2000 points
16 - Clint Bowyer (0 wins) ... 2000 points