X-Ray: Rules
The rules of the championship can be the secret to successful racing. In 2006, Nextel Cup Stock Car changed the point system substantially by adopting the Playoff system.
Point System
Points are awarded up to 15th place.
| 1st - 25 points | 6th - 10 points | 11th - 05 points |
| 2nd - 20 points | 7th - 09 points | 12th - 04 points |
| 3rd - 16 points | 8th - 08 points | 13th - 03 points |
| 4th - 14 points | 9th - 07 points | 14th - 02 points |
| 5th - 12 points | 10th - 06 points | 15th - 01 point |
Playoffs
At the end of the 8th round, the point system changes for the top ten drivers, who are the only racers who can win the title. 200 points are added to these driver’s scores, as well as an equivalent corresponding to their position in the standings. Drivers are also awarded with 1 bonus point per victory in the season. From then on, the driver that scores most points until the end of the season in the four remaining rounds, wins the title.
If there is a draw at the end of the championship, the driver with most wins takes the title. If the draw persists, then the driver that reached the second place on the podium most times wins, and so on and so forth.
Playoff Point System
| 1st - 225 Points plus victories | 6th - 210 Points plus victories |
| 2nd - 220 Points plus victories | 7th - 209 Points plus victories |
| 3rd - 216 Points plus victories | 8th - 208 Points plus victories |
| 4th - 214 Points plus victories | 9th - 207 Points plus victories |
| 5th - 212 Points plus victories | 10th - 206 Points plus victories |
Team Championship
The drivers’ combined points are summed at the end of the season, and the team with the most accumulated points is named the season champion. The two lowest results of the teams/ drivers are disregarded.
Who Participates
The Nextel Cup 2008 season has 34 competing drivers in 17 teams. These are the top 16 teams from the previous year as well as the winning Stock Car Light team, which must have two registered cars.
