NASCAR points standings: Updated driver rankings from every 2026 Cup Series race

How does the NASCAR points system work?

NASCAR changed its point system for the 2026 season, eliminating the elimination-style system after over a decade and returning to The Chase.

The new system instead is similar to the Cup Series system that NASCAR used from 2004 to 2013, with some notable changes. The top 16 drivers by points in the Cup Series will qualify for The Chase, doing away with automatic playoff berths and regular-season winners.

The point system works as follows: race winners will earn 55 points, up 15 from the last system, while the rest of the finishers' points remain unchanged. This year, drivers can't earn bankable playoff points like they could in the past.

Every Cup Series Chase field will feature 25 points awarded to the regular-season champion, and the top seed will begin The Chase with 2,100 points while each  seed following has a decreased number of points from there.

Simply, the driver who ends the series with the most points will be declared a champion.

NASCAR race schedule 2026