Qualified for the 2011 Chase for the Sprint Cup
#48-Jimmie Johnson [8th time]
#18-Kyle Busch [5th time]
#29-Kevin Harvick [5th time]
#17-Matt Kenseth [7th time]
#24-Jeff Gordon [7th time]
#99-Carl Edwards [6th time]
#22-Kurt Busch [6th time]
#39-Ryan Newman [4th time]
#14-Tony Stewart [7th time]
#88-Dale Earnhardt Jr. [4th time]
two wild cards
#2-Brad Keselowski [1st time][3 wins, 11th in points]
#11-Denny Hamlin [6th time][1 win, 12th in points]
(9-10-2011)

NASCAR hopes to keep Sprint Cup ceremony in Vegas: As invitees filed out of the Sprint Cup awards ceremony on Friday, it marked not only the end of the event, but also the end of the three-year deal that brought NASCAR's Champion's Week to Las Vegas. The week-long championship celebration moved to the desert in 2009 after a long stint in New York, where the event often struggled for recognition. In Las Vegas, NASCAR has found that and more -- strong crowds attended events such as the Victory Lap show car parade down the Strip, which even attracted news helicopters hovering overhead. As this Champion's Week concluded, indications were that the event would return to Las Vegas, although no formal announcement of such has yet been made. An agreement between NASCAR and the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority brought the event to the city. "We certainly have a desire to come back. There's a desire I think from them to have us back," Steve Phelps, NASCAR's chief marketing officer, said Friday. "I think we're just trying to figure out, what are the right assets that work for them? What is the best way to engage with the fan base and bring as many people to the city as possible? But we're excited about the possibilities of getting something renewed. We don't have anything right now. There are discussions that are going on."(NASCAR.com)(12-4-2011)

Stewart wins at Homestead AND the Championship: #14-Tony Stewart won the FORD 400 Sprint Cup Series race at Homestead-Miami Speedway for his 44th career win and 5th of the season and the chase. With the win Stewart captures his 3rd NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Championship. Stewart and #99-Carl Edwards, who finished 2nd, tied with 2403 points, but Stewart wins the champions by the tiebreaker, 5 wins to 1. It is the 2nd time in Edwards career that hew has finished 2nd in the Championship. Stewart is the first owner-driver to win the championship since Alan Kulwicki in 1992.
The rain started to fall just after Stewart pulled in to victory lane.
#99-Edwards finished 2nd followed by #56-Truex Jr., #17-Kenseth, #24-Gordon, #33-Bowyer, #4-Kahne, #29-Harvick, #11-Hamlin and #31-Burton.
There were 26 lead changes among 15 drivers and 8 cautions for 54 yellow flag laps and an 1 hour and 14 minute red flag for rain. The attendance is listed as 73,000, up from 65,000 last year.
Scheduled Race Re-Airs: Monday, November 21 at 1:00am/et on ESPN2; Wednesday, November 23 at 12:00pm/et on SPEED

2011 Sprint Cup Driver Championship Chase Points Standings:
[after Homestead, race 36 of 36 and Chase race 10 of 10]
1) #14-Tony Stewart [5 wins], 2403 - 2011 NASCAR Sprint Cup Champion
2) #99-Carl Edwards [1 win], 2403
3) #29-Kevin Harvick [4 wins], 2345, -58
4) #17-Matt Kenseth [3 wins], 2330, -73
5) #2-Brad Keselowski [3 wins], 2319, -84
6) #48-Jimmie Johnson [2 wins], 2304, -99
7) #88-Dale Earnhardt Jr. [0 wins], 2290, -113
8) #24-Jeff Gordon [3 wins], 2287, -116
9) #11-Denny Hamlin [1 win], 2284, -119
10) #39-Ryan Newman [1 win], 2284, -119
top 10 go to the banquet in Vegas
11) #22-Kurt Busch [2 wins], 2262, -141
12) #18-Kyle Busch [4 wins], 2246, -157
(ties broken by 1sts, 2nds, 3rd, etc)
See drivers championship points standings on Jayski's Drivers Points Standings page.(11-30-2011)

NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Points - Classic with the Chase: Pos) Car#-Driver, Classic Points, Behind Leader
1) #14-Tony Stewart 6634
2) #99-Carl Edwards 6584 -50
3) #29-Kevin Harvick 6395 -239
4) #17-Matt Kenseth 6380 -254
5) #2-Brad Keselowski 6348 -286
6) #48-Jimmie Johnson 6288 -346
7) #24-Jeff Gordon 6223 -411
8) #88-Dale Earnhardt, Jr. 6205 -429
9) #11-Denny Hamlin 6188 -446
10) #39-Ryan Newman 6187 -447
11) #22-Kurt Busch 6132 -502
12) #18-Kyle Busch 6049 -585
13) #4-Kasey Kahne 4382 -2252
14) #33-Clint Bowyer 4363 -2271
15) #43-A.J. Allmendinger 4202 -2432
(see full rundown at phatstats.blogspot.com)(11-30-2011)

Difference in Chase System - Current Points system vs Classic system:
rank, car#, driver, current fin pos, claasic fin pos
1) #14-Tony Stewart, 1st, 1st
2) #99-Carl Edwards, 2nd, 2nd
3) #29-Kevin Harvick, 3rd, 3rd
4) #17-Matt Kenseth, 4th, 4th
5) #2-Brad Keselowski, 5th, 5th
6) #48-Jimmie Johnson, 6th, 6th
7) #88-Dale Earnhardt Jr, 7th, 8th
8) #24-Jeff Gordon, 5th, 7th
9) #11-Denny Hamlin, 9th, 9th
10) #39-Ryan Newman, 10th, 10th
11) #22-Kurt Busch, 11th, 11th
12) #18-Kyle Busch, 12th, 12yh
13) #33-Clint Bowyer, 13th, 14th
14) #4-Kasey Kahne, 14th, 13th
15) #43-A.J. Allmendinger, 15th, 15th
(11-30-2011)

2011 Sprint Cup Driver Points Standings [not the Chase]:
[after Homestead, race 36 of 36]:
using the CURRENT points system, but NOT the Chase system, just points.
rank, car#, driver, points, behind
1) #99-Carl Edwards (x) [1 win], 1278
2) #29-Kevin Harvick (x)[4 wins], 1200, -78
3) #14-Tony Stewart (x)[5 wins], 1191, -87
4) #48-Jimmie Johnson (x)[2 wins], 1187, -91
5) #17-Matt Kenseth (x)[3 wins], 1183, -95
6) #24-Jeff Gordon (x)[3 wins], 1150, -128
7) #18-Kyle Busch (x)[4 wins], 1124, -154
8) #22-Kurt Busch (x)[2 wins], 1115, -163
9) #39-Ryan Newman (x)[1 win], 1103, -175
10) #2-Brad Keselowski (x)[3 wins], 1079, -199
11) #88-Dale Earnhardt Jr.(x), 1071, -207
12) #33-Clint Bowyer [1 win], 1047, -231
13) #4-Kasey Kahne [1 win], 1041, -237
14) #11-Denny Hamlin (x)[1 win], 1028, -250
15) #43-A.J. Allmendinger, 1013, -265
(x) = chase driver.(11-30-2011)

NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Points - Classic without the Chase: Pos) Car#-Driver, Classic Points, Behind Leader
1) #99-Carl Edwards 5193
2) #48-Jimmie Johnson 4916 -277
3) #14-Tony Stewart 4897 -296
4) #29-Kevin Harvick 4896 -297
5) #17-Matt Kenseth 4875 -318
6) #24-Jeff Gordon 4794 -399
7) #18-Kyle Busch 4713 -480
8) #39-Ryan Newman 4560 -633
9) #22-Kurt Busch 4531 -662
10) #2-Brad Keselowski 4523 -670
11) #88-Dale Earnhardt, Jr. 4422 -771
12) #4-Kasey Kahne 4382 -811
13) #33-Clint Bowyer 4363 -830
14) #11-Denny Hamlin 4318 -875
15) #43-A.J. Allmendinger 4202 -991
(see full rundown at phatstats.blogspot.com)(11-30-2011)

Difference in the none Chase System - Current Points system vs Classic system:
rank, car#, driver, current fin pos, claasic fin pos
1) #99-Carl Edwards, 1st, 1st
2) #29-Kevin Harvick, 2nd, 4th
3) #14-Tony Stewart, 3rd, 3rd
4) #48-Jimmie Johnson, 4th, 2nd
5) #17-Matt Kenseth, 5th, 5th
6) #24-Jeff Gordon, 6th, 6th
7) #18-Kyle Busch, 7th, 7th
8) #22-Kurt Busch, 8th, 9th
9) #39-Ryan Newman, 9th, 8th
10) #2-Brad Keselowski, 10th, 10th
11) #88-Dale Earnhardt Jr., 11th, 11th
12) #33-Clint Bowyer, 12th, 13th
13) #4-Kasey Kahne, 13th 12th
14) #11-Denny Hamlin, 14th, 14th
15) #43-A.J. Allmendinger, 15th, 15th.(11-30-2011)

NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Clinch Scenarios Set For Homestead: Only one finish guarantees Carl Edwards his first NASCAR Sprint Cup Series championship – a victory in Sunday’s season-finale Ford 400. Just three points separate points leader #99-Carl Edwards and second-place #14-Tony Stewart, a margin so tight, no other finish would clinch the title for Edwards regardless of where Stewart finishes. Stewart owns the tie-breaker (best finishes), and therefore could tie and win his third series championship. All other drivers are officially eliminated from championship contention. Edwards’ three-point lead roughly translates to 13 points under the previous points system. That makes it the closest margin between first and second going into the final race in Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup history, and third-closest since the inception of the position-based points structure in 1975.(NASCAR)(11-14-2011)

Finishing spots for the Chase drivers at Phoenix: (by standings order before the race)
1) #99-Carl Edwards, starts 9th, finished 2nd
2) #14-Tony Stewart, 8th, 3rd
3) #29-Kevin Harvick, 27th, 19th
4) #17-Matt Kenseth, 1st on the pole, 34th
5) #2-Brad Keselowski, 12th, 18th
6) #48-Jimmie Johnson, 16th, 14th
7) #88-Dale Earnhardt Jr., 22nd, 24th
8) #24-Jeff Gordon, 23rd, 32nd
9) #22-Kurt Busch, 17th, 22nd
10) #11-Denny Hamlin, 33rd, 12th
11) #18-Kyle Busch, 34th, 36th
12) #39-Ryan Newman, 30th, 5th
(11-13-2011)

Finishing spots for the Chase drivers at Texas: (by standings order before the race)
1) #99-Carl Edwards, finished 2nd
2) #14-Tony Stewart, 1st
3) #29-Kevin Harvick, 13th
4) #2-Brad Keselowski, 24th
5) #17-Matt Kenseth, 4th
6) #48-Jimmie Johnson, 14th
7) #18-Kyle Busch, did not race
8) #22-Kurt Busch, 30th
9) #88-Dale Earnhardt Jr., 7th
10) #24-Jeff Gordon, 6th
11) #11-Denny Hamlin, 20th
12) #39-Ryan Newman, 16th
See drivers championship points standings on Jayski's Drivers Points Standings page.(11-6-2011)

Finishing spots for the Chase drivers at Martinsville: (by standings order before the race)
1) #99-Carl Edwards, started 1st, finished 9th
2) #17-Matt Kenseth, 2nd, 31st
3) #2-Brad Keselowski, 3rd, 17th
4) #14-Tony Stewart, 4th, 1st
5) #29-Kevin Harvick, 5th, 4th
6) #18-Kyle Busch, 6th, 27th
7) #48-Jimmie Johnson, 7th, 2nd
8) #22-Kurt Busch, 8th, 14th
9) #88-Dale Earnhardt Jr., 9th, 7th
10) #24-Jeff Gordon, 10th, 3rd
11) #11-Denny Hamlin, 11th, 5th
12) #39-Ryan Newman, 12th, 10th
See drivers championship points standings on Jayski's Drivers Points Standings page.(10-30-2011)

Finishing spots for the Chase drivers at Talladega: (by standings order before the race)
1) #99-Carl Edwards, started 9th, finished 11th
2) #29-Kevin Harvick, 13th, 32nd
3) #17-Matt Kenseth, 11th, 18th
4) #18-Kyle Busch, 34th, 33rd
5) #14-Tony Stewart, 12th, 7th
6) #2-Brad Keselowski, 17th, 4th
7) #22-Kurt Busch, 14th, 36th
8) #48-Jimmie Johnson, 2nd, 26th
9) #88-Dale Earnhardt Jr., 6th, 25th
10) #39-Ryan Newman, 10th, 38th
11) #24-Jeff Gordon, 5th, 27th
12) #11-Denny Hamlin, 31st, 8th
See drivers championship points standings on Jayski's Drivers Points Standings page.(10-23-2011)

Finishing spots for the Chase drivers at Charlotte: (by standings order before the race)
1) #99-Carl Edwards, finished 3rd
2) #29-Kevin Harvick, 6th
3) #48-Jimmie Johnson, 34th
4) #2-Brad Keselowski, 16th
5) #17-Matt Kenseth, 1st
6) #22-Kurt Busch, 13th
7) #14-Tony Stewart, 8th
8) #18-Kyle Busch, 2nd
9) #88-Dale Earnhardt Jr., 19th
10) #24-Jeff Gordon, 21st
11) #39-Ryan Newman, 10th
12) #11-Denny Hamlin, 9th
See drivers championship points standings on Jayski's Drivers Points Standings page.(10-15-2011)

Finishing spots for the Chase drivers at Kansas: (by standings order before the race)
1) #29-Kevin Harvick, started 14th, finished 6th
2) #99-Carl Edwards, 2nd, 5th takes points lead
3) #14-Tony Stewart, 23rd, 15th
4) #22-Kurt Busch, 17th, 13th
5) #48-Jimmie Johnson, 19th, WON
6) #2-Brad Keselowski, 12th, 3rd
7) #17-Matt Kenseth, 4th, 4th
8) #18-Kyle Busch, 3rd, 11th
9) #24-Jeff Gordon, 10th, 34th (lost an engine)
10) #88-Dale Earnhardt Jr., 18th, 14th
11) #39-Ryan Newman, 11th, 18th
12) #11-Denny Hamlin, 7th, 16th
See drivers championship points standings on Jayski's Drivers Points Standings page.(10-9-2011)

Finishing spots for the Chase drivers at Dover: (by standings order before the race)
1) #14-Tony Stewart, started 28th, finished 25th [drops to 3rd]
2) #29-Kevin Harvick, 22nd, 10th
3) #2-Brad Keselowski, 15th, 20th
4) #99-Carl Edwards, 4th, 3rd
5) #24-Jeff Gordon, 34th, 12th
6) #18-Kyle Busch, 5th, 6th
7) #17-Matt Kenseth, 18th, 5th
8) #88-Dale Earnhardt Jr., 21st
9) #22-Kurt Busch, 2nd, WON
10) #48-Jimmie Johnson, 6th, 2nd
11) #39-Ryan Newman, 20th, 23rd
12) #11-Denny Hamlin, 11th, 18th
See drivers championship points standings on Jayski's Drivers Points Standings page.(10-2-2011)

Chase Drivers Finishing Position at New Hampshire:
[by points standings before the race]:
1) #29-Kevin Harvick, 12th
2) #14-Tony Stewart, WON
3) #99-Carl Edwards, 8th
4) #22-Kurt Busch, 22nd
5) #88-Dale Earnhardt Jr., 17th
6) #2-Brad Keselowski, 2nd
7) #39-Ryan Newman, 25th
8) #48-Jimmie Johnson, 18th
9) #18-Kyle Busch, 11th
10) #17-Matt Kenseth, 6th
11) #24-Jeff Gordon, 4th
12) #11-Denny Hamlin, 29th
(9-25-2011)

Chase Drivers Finishing Position at Chicago:
[by points standings before the race]:
1) #18-Kyle Busch, 22nd
2) #29-Kevin Harvick, 2nd
3) #24-Jeff Gordon, 24th
4) #17-Matt Kenseth, 21st
5) #99-Carl Edwards, 4th
6) #48-Jimmie Johnson, 10th
7) #22-Kurt Busch, 6th
8) #39-Ryan Newman, 9th
9) #14-Tony Stewart, 1st
10) #88-Dale Earnhardt Jr., 3rd
11) #2-Brad Keselowski, 5th
12) #11-Denny Hamlin, 31st
(9-19-2011)

Four drivers have come from outside the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup cut-off to make the Chase at Richmond:
o Jeremy Mayfield in 2004 made up a 55-point deficit (approx 13 in current pts system)
o Ryan Newman in 2005 made up a one-point deficit
o Kasey Kahne in 2006 made up a 30-point deficit (7)
o Brian Vickers in 2009 made up a 20-point deficit (5)(NASCAR)
For Chase rules, notes, news, see my 2011 Chase page, and for Chase History, pts comparisons, what-if's, see my Chase History page.(9-8-2011)

Clinch Scenarios For Richmond: With only one race remaining until the 12-driver Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup is set, eight drivers have clinched a top-10 spot – Jimmie Johnson, Kyle Busch, Carl Edwards, Matt Kenseth, Jeff Gordon, Kevin Harvick, Kurt Busch and Ryan Newman. Brad Keselowski, with three victories, has clinched at least a Wild Card berth. He remains eligible to earn a top-10 spot. Heading into the final race of the regular season, here are the clinch scenarios for the remaining three Chase spots.
#88-Dale Earnhardt Jr.
Earnhardt is currently 25 points ahead of 11th place. Regardless of any other driver's finish, Earnhardt will clinch if he finishes:
· 20th or better
· 21st or better and leads at least one lap
· 22nd or better and leads the most laps
#14-Tony Stewart
Stewart is currently 23 points ahead of 11th place. Regardless of any other driver's finish, Stewart will clinch if he finishes:
· 18th or better
· 19th or better and leads at least one lap
· 20th or better and leads the most laps
A number of different finishes affect the Wild Card scenario.
- With a victory, #11-Denny Hamlin will earn at least a Wild Card spot.
- With a victory, #27-Paul Menard will earn a Wild Card spot.
- With a victory AND entry into the top 20, #9-Marcos Ambrose or #6-David Ragan will earn a Wild Card spot. Both drivers are currently outside the top 20. Ambrose is seven points outside the top 20; Ragan is 20 points outside the top 20.
All drivers through 23rd place in the series standings remain eligible for a spot in the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup. Aside from the scenarios listed above, those without an already-clinched Chase spot need a win, a top 20 spot and various finishes from other drivers to earn a Chase spot.(NASCAR)(9-7-2011)

2010 Chase drivers to be honored by the President UPDATES: Heading into the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup cut-off race at Richmond International Raceway, NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion Jimmie Johnson will be honored by President Barack Obama at The White House on Wednesday, Sept. 7. The event will also include NASCAR Chairman and CEO Brian France, plus several drivers from the 2010 Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup field. Drivers who are scheduled to attend: Clint Bowyer, Jeff Burton, Kurt Busch, Kyle Busch, Jeff Gordon, Denny Hamlin, Jimmie Johnson and Matt Kenseth. Greg Biffle, Carl Edwards, Kevin Harvick and Tony Stewart cannot attend due to schedule conflicts (NASCAR).
Stewart's comment: THE WHITE HOUSE INVITED 12 DRIVERS TO VISIT PRESIDENT OBAMA AND YOU'RE ONE OF THE FIVE THAT SAID YOU HAVE OTHER THINGS TO DO, WHAT'S YOUR TAKE ON ALL OF THAT? "We had an obligation that we have to fulfill. I've enjoyed every trip that I've been invited and very honored to be invited every time we've had that opportunity and I'm very sorry I'm going to miss the chance to go again because there's a lot of people in this nation that would love to have that opportunity to spend time with the President and just have a couple of minutes of his time. I'm very regretful that I'm not going to be able to make it but it's a tough schedule that we have and if I could have rescheduled and got the scheduling to work out I would have been there in a heartbeat because I've not missed one yet."(Team Chevy)
Greg Biffle: WHY ARE YOU NOT GOING TO THE WHITE HOUSE?
"First of all, I'll start by saying that I'm disgusted by the comments I see, that people say we rejected or 'I can't believe that Biffle rejected'. For one, that's disrespectful for people not knowing why I can't go. Number two, I've got a picture of myself and the President, Barack Obama, in my bookshelf in my office right behind my desk shaking hands at the White House. I've been there and I've done that and I respect that. I was very flattered to get the invitation. I got the invitation less than two weeks ago to go and I've got a function that I'm obligated to be at with 3M in Minnesota that they've had planned for basically nine months. It's an annual thing, but they have over 100-and-some of their business people and customers at that I go for two days. We arrive Wednesday morning early and I don't get to Richmond until late Thursday night. I called them and talked about the invitation and this was very important to them because the function is designed around me and they really can't have it if I don't go. Unfortunately, the date conflicts with the invitation. First of all, define what rejected means. Does that mean I refuse to go? Or does rejected mean I can't make it, I want to go but I can't? It's kind of discouraging to see those comments when somebody doesn't know the circumstance. If I hadn't been and hadn't met him and shook his hand and been in the Oval Office with him before, I might try to chisel my sponsor a little harder to let me go, and I don't want to put it on them, it's simply I have an obligation that I accepted long before this. A lot of times we can move our schedules around depending on what it might be, but when you have people coming from other countries that are planning on meeting you and being with you for a day-and-a-half, it's really hard to change that."(Ford Racing)(9-3-2011)

UPDATEs - Driver who have clinched spots in the Chase and clinch scenarios: Two races remain before the complete 12-driver Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup is set, seedings and all. Six drivers have clinched a Chase spot in some fashion. #18-Kyle Busch, #48-Jimmie Johnson, #17-Matt Kenseth and #99-Carl Edwards have locked up top-10 spots. #29-Kevin Harvick (three wins) and #24-Jeff Gordon (two wins) both have clinched, at the least, Wild Card spots; both will likely cement top-10 berths in Sunday night's AdvoCare 500 at Atlanta Motor Speedway.
After race No. 26 at Richmond International Raceway, the top-10 drivers in points will fill out the first portion of the 12-driver Chase. Spots 11 and 12 go to drivers outside the top 10 with the most victories, provided they are in the top 20. The Wild Card tiebreaker is points position.
Regarding bonus points for victories: Only the top 10 will get them. Once the Chase field is set, all 12 drivers will have their points reset to 2,000. Then, for those in the top 10, three additional bonus points will be tacked on for each win during the 26-race "regular season."
Sunday's race in Atlanta will likely further shore things up. The "magic number" for Atlanta is 49. Leaving Atlanta, any driver with a 49-point lead over 11th place clinches a top-10 Chase spot (Note: If the driver in question owns the tiebreaker over 11th of best-finish, that magic number shrinks to 48.). Here are the clinch scenarios going into the weekend…
Harvick and Gordon: Both 93 points ahead of 11th, Harvick and Gordon can guarantee a top-10 spot with at least a finish of 40th; or 41st and at least one lap led; or 42nd and the most laps led.
#39-Ryan Newman: Currently 73 points ahead of 11th, Newman can guarantee a top-10 spot with at least a finish of 20th; or 21st and at least one lap led; or 22nd and the most laps led.
#22-Kurt Busch: Currently 60 points ahead of 11th, Busch can guarantee a top-10 spot with at least a finish of seventh; or eighth and at least one lap led; or ninth and the most laps led.
Both #88-Dale Earnhardt Jr. (39 points ahead of 11th) and #14-Tony Stewart (21 points ahead) can both mathematically reach that 49-point threshold but would need help. No specific finish guarantees a spot. There are Wild Card clinching possibilities for this weekend, but all depend on finishes from various competitors on Sunday.(NASCAR)(8-31-2011)

No plans to change Chase schedule: Don't expect the Chase schedule to change anytime soon. When asked Friday at Watkins Glen about the possibility of a road course being included in the Chase, NASCAR president Mike Helton said that while he wouldn't completely rule out the idea, it's not on NASCAR's radar. "There's nothing on the table today," Helton said. "We wouldn't stack races up in the Chase for the benefit of the Chase. The Chase is the last 10 races of the season. But as the evolution of changes go on, who knows what could end up as the last 10 races." Helton explained that when NASCAR came up with the Chase format, it had no intention of establishing a new 10-race schedule. Rather, NASCAR simply took the schedule as it was and made the last 10 races the Chase schedule. He added that he doesn't anticipate that changing.(Yahoo Sports)(8-13-2011)

The New NASCAR Points System: NASCAR recently announced it has simplified its points system starting in 2011, some notes on how it works:
The new points system awards points in one-point increments with race winners earning 43 points, plus three bonus points for the win.
All other drivers in a finishing order will be separated by one-point increments. A second-place finisher will earn 42 points, a third-place driver 41 points, and so on. A last-place finisher – 43rd place – earns one point. In the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series, the last-place finisher receives eight points, to account for that series' 36-driver race field.
All drivers also can earn an extra point for leading a lap and ONE driver who leads the most laps, gets one point.
The max a driver, a race winner can get, is 48 points.
Teams that fail to qualify for a race will get no owners points, but NASCAR will track number of attempts, no word on how ties will be broken after five races when the owners points goes into effect.

NASCAR announces changes for 2011 season: NASCAR announced Wednesday that it has added a wild card element to setting the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup field and it has simplified its points system for 2011, making it easier for fans, competitors and the industry to understand.
While the 12-driver Chase field remains intact, the final two spots will be determined by the number of wins during the first 26 races.
The top 10 in points following Race No. 26 – the “cutoff” race – continue to earn Chase berths.
Positions 11 and 12 are “wild card” qualifiers and will go to non-top-10-ranked drivers with the most wins, as long as they’re ranked in the top 20 in points. The top-10 Chase drivers will continue to be seeded based on wins during the first 26 races, with each win worth three bonus points. The wild card drivers will not receive bonus points for wins and will be seeded 11th and 12th, respectively. It’s a move aimed towards rewarding winning and consistency during the regular season.
Brian France, NASCAR Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, made the announcements at the NASCAR Hall of Fame during NASCAR’s annual media event as part of the NASCAR Sprint Media Tour.
“The fans tell us that winning matters the most with them, so we’re combining the tradition of consistency in our sport with the excitement that comes along with winning,” said France. “This makes every race count leading into the 26th race of the season at Richmond, when we set the field for the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup.”
The new points system – which applies to all NASCAR national series – will award points in one-point increments. As an example, in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, race winners will earn 43 points, plus three bonus points for the win. Winners also can earn an extra point for leading a lap and leading the most laps, bringing their total to a possible maximum of 48 points.
All other drivers in a finishing order will be separated by one-point increments. A second-place finisher will earn 42 points, a third-place driver 41 points, and so on. A last-place finisher – 43rd place – earns one point. In the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series, the last-place finisher receives eight points, to account for that series’ 36-driver race field.
“Many of our most loyal fans don’t fully understand the points system we have used to date,” said France, referencing the system that has been in use since 1975. “So, we are simplifying the points system to one that is much easier to understand. Conceptually, it is comparable to our previous system, but it is easier to follow.”
During his remarks Wednesday night, France reflected on the outstanding competition the sport enjoyed in 2010 and expected to see that high-caliber of racing to continue once the green flag drops for the 53rd running of the Daytona 500 Feb. 20.
“NASCAR enters 2011 with positive momentum and a great sense of excitement and optimism,” said France. “We’re extremely excited for the launch of the season. Leading the season off with Daytona, Phoenix and Las Vegas, we believe our fans are in store for some of the best racing the sport has to offer.”
Other competitive enhancements announced Wednesday:
Pick a Series – Drivers in all three national series now must select the series where they’ll compete for a driver championship. Drivers still may compete in multiple series and help their teams win owner titles in series where they’re not competing for a driver title. The move helps spotlight young talent in the NASCAR Nationwide and NASCAR Camping World Truck Series.
New Qualifying Procedure – The qualifying order will be set based upon slowest to fastest practice speeds.
Inclement Weather Qualifying – If bad weather cancels qualifying, the final starting lineup will be determined by practice speeds. The same rule book procedures will be used to determine eligibility to start a race. If weather cancels practice sessions, then the starting lineup will be set by points, per the rule book.
Tire Rules Revision – NASCAR Sprint Cup Series teams now are allowed five sets of tires for practice and qualifying instead of six. They must return four of those sets to Goodyear in order to receive their race allotment, and may keep one set of practice/qualifying tires. Tire allotments for race weekends will vary according to historical performance data.
Closed Loop Fueling System – Introduced in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series, this goes into effect for all three national series in 2011. It combines a more efficient fueling system with the elimination of the catch-can man, considered the most “vulnerable” pit-crew member. Teams now will use six, rather than seven, over-the-wall pit-crew members.
Evolution Of NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Car – NASCAR continues to work with the manufacturers and teams to enhance the look of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series car. The cars have new fronts this season and the body makeover will continue to help appeal to fans and aid manufacturer identity.
(NASCAR)(1-26-2011)

Some additional notes about series changes:
• The last two spots of the Chase will go to the drivers with the most wins who aren't in the top 10 in the standings, but still ranked in the top 20. If there's a tie, the playoff spot goes to the driver with the most points.
• If no drivers have wins after the 10th position, the last two positions in the Chase will go to the 11th and 12th place drivers.
• The wild card drivers will receive no bonus points and will start with a base of 2,000 points. The previous Chase featured a 5,000-point base and 10 points per win to start the Chase.
• Any penalties will be adjusted for the new system.Last year some penalties were as high as 150 points.
• If qualifying gets rained out, drivers that make the race will be the same, based on the rule book (top 35, past champion, race winners, etc), but the starting positions will be deteremined by practice speeds.
• Points will not be given to owners that do not make the race, but NASCAR will keep track of attempts.
• There will be no changes to the top-35 rule.
• No mention was made of altering race start times.
(1-27-2011)

Chase will go to top 10, plus 2 biggest winners: Twelve NASCAR Sprint Cup drivers will make the Chase for the Sprint Cup in 2011 -- the top 10 in points and the two drivers not in the top 10 who have the most race victories in NASCAR’s 26-race regular season. NASCAR Chairman and CEO Brian France is expected to confirm that arrangement, along with a points system that gives 43 points to race winners and then one-point increments down to just one point for the last-place finisher. Each driver who leads a lap will get one bonus point, and regular-season race winners are expected to get two or three Chase bonus points for each victory. There will be no knockout rounds in the Chase, as NASCAR had hinted at earlier.(SPEED)(1-26-2011)

Some highlights from Friday's NASCAR Press Conference: NASCAR president Mike Helton and vice president of competition Robin Pemberton held a press conference at Daytona International Speedway on Friday. Some notes and highlights:
NASCAR president Mike Helton confirmed Friday that drivers will be allowed to race for only one championship this season. The rule is designed to prevent Sprint Cup drivers from dominating the second-tier Nationwide Series. Full-time Cup drivers have won the last five Nationwide titles. Helton also said NASCAR is leaning toward a simpler points system for all three of its national series. Helton says bonus points would be added to put an emphasis on winning races (ESPN).
Helton also indicated that a new points system is coming to the top three series. It likely will be one in which points are awarded one per position from with the winner getting 43 points and the last place driver just one. There likely will be bonus points offered to encourage drivers to race for wins and to keep championships from being decided by consistency alone. And there are expected to be provisions that allow drivers who don’t finish the regular season in the elite group but have won races to have a shot at being added to the Chase field. He said the goal is to make the points system easier to understand for casual fans as well as those more familiar with the sport.
The rookie of the year program also is expected to undergo some changes. With no rookie drivers signed up to run full-time in Cup this year, adjustments likely will be made to deal with a rookie like Trevor Bayne, who is signed to drive the Wood Brothers’ #21 Ford but only has 17 races scheduled this year.
Helton said starting times for Cup races, which were standardized last year, could see some changes. He said the times might need to be adjusted given the length of the NASCAR season. Last year, races started just after 1 pm, 3 pm. or 7:30 pm depending on the location of the track.
NASCAR appears to be on pace to switch from carburetors to fuel injection, but fuel injection won’t be used in points-paying Cup races this year. Cars will run on an ethanol blend fuel and a new fueling system that doesn’t require a traditional vent will be used.(RacinToday)
Helton also said the sanctioning body has not made a decision concerning possible changes to the championship point systems for the 2011 Sprint Cup, Nationwide and Camping World Truck Series. He admitted, however, that the move is receiving serious consideration in an attempt to make those championships simpler for fans to understand. NASCAR Chairman and CEO Brian France is expected to announce the sanctioning body’s final decision next Wednesday (Sirius Speedway)(1-21-2011)

How would had points looked in 2010 using 'simplier' method?: Tom Bowles from Sports Illustrated redid the 2010 points, using the possible new and simplier points system that NASCAR may go to according to an AP report. Here is the final top 12:
#48-Jimmie Johnson: 388
#29-Kevin Harvick: 387
#11-Denny Hamlin: 386
#99-Carl Edwards: 340
#17-Matt Kenseth: 314
#16-Greg Biffle: 293
#14-Tony Stewart: 287
#24-Jeff Gordon: 279 (+1 spot over current system)
#33-Clint Bowyer: 272 (+1)
#18-Kyle Busch: 267 (-2)
#2-Kurt Busch: 265
#31-Jeff Burton: 232
But what about the bonus points, you're asking? That hasn't been divulged by NASCAR either, but let's pretend it's one point for leading a lap, two extra for leading the most and a three-point bonus for winning. So that would mean the max a driver could score per race is 48, leaving a possible 47-point swing between first and last place.(see full article at the Sports Illustrated)(1-19-2011)