NASCAR Standings

2024 NASCAR Cup Championship Standings
Driver	Team	Points *Last Updated: 8/8/2024
Kyle Larson	Hendrick Motorsports	749
Chase Elliot	Hendrick Motorsports	739
Tyler Reddick	23XI Racing	734
Denny Hamlin	Joe Gibbs Racing	706
Ryan Blaney	Team Penske	676
William Byron	Hendrick Motorsports	654
Martin Truex Jr.	Joe Gibbs Racing	653
Christopher Bell	Joe Gibbs Racing	651
Brad Keselowski	RFK Racing	615
Alex Bowman	Hendrick Motorsports	606

Understanding NASCAR Standings

In every level of NASCAR, whether it’s the Cup Series, the Xfinity Series or the Truck Series, there are s standings for every one of them. Drivers race all season to finish atop the NASCAR standings of their respective series. Many elements go into determining how many points a driver gets per race in the NASCAR Cup Series.

The driver who wins the race is awarded 40 points, while the second-place driver is awarded 35. Third is 34, fourth 33, etc.

NASCAR Cup Series races are split up into three stages and the drivers who finish in the top 10 of each stage are awarded points. Points are 10 for first, 9 for second, etc. Take a look at the current NASCAR standings for this current season.

Reading NASCAR Table Points

When you look at the NASCAR standings, you’ll notice it’s point-based. The leader is at the top with his total number of points and beneath them the competing drivers with their points. It will also tell you how many points each driver is behind the leader.

There are also columns that tell the reader how many wins the driver has, as well as the top-five finishes, the top-10 finishes, laps led, stages won and DNFs (initials for ‘did not finish’).

NASCAR standings are used to track the performance of drivers and teams throughout the NASCAR racing season. These motorsports standings are based on a point system that rewards drivers and teams for their finishing position in each race.

The driver and team with the most points at the end of the season are crowned as the champions.

How are NASCAR Standings Calculated?

Drivers earn points based on their finishing position in each race. The winner of the race earns 40 points, with additional points awarded for lower finishing positions (e.g. 35 points for 2nd place, 34 points for 3rd place, and so on).
Drivers can also earn bonus points for leading at least one lap in a race (1 point) and leading the most laps in a race (1 point).
At the end of the regular season, the top 16 drivers in the standings qualify for the playoffs, which consist of three rounds of elimination races.
During the playoffs, drivers earn additional points based on their finishing position in each race, with drivers being eliminated after each round until only four drivers remain for the championship race.
The driver with the most points at the end of the championship race is crowned the NASCAR Cup Series champion.

Betting on NASCAR Leaders

Betting on NASCAR leaders is exhilarating; while NASCAR races are known for their intense speed and thrilling competition, adding an element of prediction and strategy through betting on the leaders enhances the experience even further.

One approach to NASCAR betting involves focusing on the performance of leaders in specific races. For instance, let’s consider the example of a playoff race winner like Chase Elliott at Talladega Superspeedway. In such cases, one can explore various betting angles, such as predicting the likelihood of Elliott maintaining his momentum in subsequent races.

Another instance involves analyzing the performance of drivers on unique tracks, like the Food City Dirt Race at Bristol Motor Speedway. NASCAR odds adjustments for contenders like Daniel Suárez and Ross Chastain highlight the dynamic nature of NASCAR betting. Suárez’s success on the Bristol dirt last April and his performance this season influence oddsmakers’ decisions, demonstrating how past performance and current form can impact betting odds. Chastain’s transformation from last year’s challenges to this year’s successes showcases the unpredictability that makes motorsports betting intriguing.

Additionally, exploring motors odds for drivers like Kyle Larson and Christopher Bell, who excel on dirt tracks, presents a strategic aspect to betting. These NASCAR drivers’ track records, as well as their performance in previous races, play a significant role in determining their odds.

Strategies Used by Teams

While NASCAR isn’t typically thought of as a team sport, it is in many ways. When it comes down to the end of a NASCAR race, a driver is much better off if he has one of his teammates near him at the top. This can help with factors such as blocking, which helps make way for some of their other teammates to come up and join them.

On the superspeedways in particular, it’s almost crucial to find a way to get your teammate near the front with you so you have a drafting partner who helps give them a literal final push to get them the win.

2023 NASCAR Season Standings

Strange as it may seem, champ Ryan Blaney didn’t have the most wins, but this is actually more usual than one may think. In fact, of the 15 winners in 2023, no driver dominated 2023 as William Byron did, with 6 wins.

Having said this, the winningest 2023 drivers were: William Byron (6 wins) and Kyle Larson (4 wins).

**2023 NASCAR Standings**
Drive	Points-Standings
Ryan Blaney	4035
Kyle Larson	4034
William Byron	4033
Denny Hamlin	4029

NASCAR Standings FAQs

How are NASCAR standings determined?

NASCAR standings are determined based on the points system established by NASCAR. Points are awarded for race results, including finishing position, laps led, and other performance-related factors. Drivers and teams with the highest points accumulate better standings.

What do NASCAR standings reveal about a driver’s performance?

NASCAR standings provide a comprehensive view of a driver’s performance throughout the racing season. They showcase factors like wins, top finishes, consistency, and overall competitiveness, offering insights into a driver’s strengths and areas for improvement.

Do NASCAR standings differ across different series?

Yes, NASCAR standings vary across different series such as the NASCAR Cup Series, Xfinity Series, and Camping World Truck Series. Each series has its own set of races, points system, and standings that contribute to determining the champion in that particular series.

How often are NASCAR standings updated?

NASCAR standings are typically updated after each race. As soon as a race concludes, the points earned by drivers and teams are calculated, and the standings are adjusted accordingly to reflect the latest race results.

What role do NASCAR standings play in the championship?

NASCAR standings play a pivotal role in determining the overall championship winners. Points earned across various races accumulate over the season, and the driver or team with the highest total points at the end of the season is crowned the series champion.

Can NASCAR standings impact a driver’s race strategy?

Yes, NASCAR standings can influence a driver’s race strategy. Drivers aiming for the championship title might adopt more conservative approaches to secure points consistently, while those outside the top standings might take more risks to improve their position.