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A leaderboard displays the running order during a NASCAR race. Finishing position determines how many points drivers earn under the NASCAR Cup Series points system.
NASCAR returned to the Chase championship format this season and adjusted the scoring structure to place a greater emphasis on winning races. Drivers can now earn significantly more points for victories while still collecting stage points and other bonuses throughout a race.
Those points determine the NASCAR Cup Series standings and ultimately which drivers qualify for the postseason.
Here is how the NASCAR points system works in 2026 and why those points matter throughout the season.
How NASCAR Race Points Work
The majority of points in the NASCAR Cup Series come from finishing position in each race.
Under the updated 2026 scoring format, the race winner receives 55 points toward the regular-season standings. That is a significant increase from the previous system, where a win was worth 40 points.
Second place receives 35 points, creating a 20-point gap between first and second designed to reward drivers who win races.
From there, points decrease by one position throughout the field.
The points structure begins as follows:
1st place: 55 points
2nd place: 35 points
3rd place: 34 points
4th place: 33 points
5th place: 32 points
6th place: 31 points
7th place: 30 points
8th place: 29 points
9th place: 28 points
10th place: 27 points
Points continue decreasing by one position until 36th place. Drivers finishing 36th through 40th receive one point.
Even drivers who finish deep in the field still earn points toward the season standings.
How Stage Points Work
The NASCAR Cup Series also awards points during races through the stage system.
Each race is divided into three stages. At the end of Stage 1 and Stage 2, the top ten drivers receive championship points.
The stage points breakdown is:
1st place: 10 points
2nd place: 9 points
3rd place: 8 points
4th place: 7 points
5th place: 6 points
6th place: 5 points
7th place: 4 points
8th place: 3 points
9th place: 2 points
10th place: 1 point
These points are immediately added to the NASCAR standings.
Because stage points count toward the championship, drivers often race aggressively near the end of each stage to secure additional points.
Fastest Lap Points
The 2026 NASCAR season also includes a fastest lap bonus point.
The driver who sets the fastest lap during a race earns one additional championship point.
However, there is one restriction. If a car has been taken to the garage during the race, that driver is not eligible to earn the fastest lap point even if they return to the track later.
The rule prevents teams from leaving the race early and returning only to chase a fastest lap.
What Is the Maximum Points a Driver Can Earn in a Race?
Because the NASCAR points system includes race points, stage points and fastest lap bonuses, a driver can earn a large number of points in a single race.
The theoretical maximum occurs if a driver:
Wins Stage 1
Wins Stage 2
Sets the fastest lap
Wins the race
That scenario would award:
55 race points
10 stage points
10 stage points
1 fastest lap point
For a total of 76 points in one race.
How Drivers Qualify for The Chase
The NASCAR Cup Series returned to The Chase championship format in 2026.
Under this system, the top 16 drivers in the regular-season points standings qualify for the postseason.
Unlike previous playoff formats, drivers do not automatically qualify with a race win. The standings alone determine which drivers advance.
After the regular season ends, the top 16 drivers have their points reset and seeded for The Chase.
The regular-season champion begins the postseason with 2100 points, while the second-place driver starts with 2075 points. The remaining positions are seeded accordingly down to the 16th driver.
The driver who finishes the final race of the season with the most points is crowned the NASCAR Cup Series champion.
Why the NASCAR Points System Matters
Because the NASCAR Cup Series points system rewards race wins, stage finishes and fastest laps, drivers can gain or lose significant ground in the standings during a single race.
A driver who wins a race and both stages can earn more than 70 points in one weekend. Meanwhile, a driver who finishes deep in the field without stage points may earn only a handful.
Over the course of a 36-race season, those differences add up quickly.
That is why teams track the NASCAR standings closely throughout the year. Every stage finish, fastest lap and race result can influence which drivers ultimately make The Chase and compete for the championship.
Maggie MacKenzie Maggie MacKenzie covers NASCAR for Heavy.com. She previously worked for NASCAR.com, where she reported, wrote, and edited race-weekend coverage and traveled to key events throughout the season. She has more than ten years of experience in sports media and is based in Boston, Massachusetts. More about Maggie MacKenzie
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