How to Qualify for the Sprint Cup

For many race car drivers, NASCAR's Sprint Cup Series is the ultimate goal. Making it to the Sprint Cup Series means that the driver is in the upper echelon of the sport, and that the driver has the right equipment, the right sponsors and the right team behind him or her. Once a driver has made it to this level, the main goal becomes qualifying for Sprint Cup races and for the season-ending points championship, the Sprint Cup.

Instructions

    • 1

      Qualify for each of the season's first 26 races. Most tracks set aside a certain day during race weekend (Friday or Saturday) for qualifying. Each team gets two laps to run their fastest speed, and the car with the fastest speed gets the pole position -- the first starting spot in the 43-car field. Cars in the top 35 in points are guaranteed a starting position in the race, and any additional teams competing -- the "go or go home" teams -- need to qualify on speed.

    • 2

      Finish races on a consistent basis. Finishing races near the top of the 43-car field earns more points in the points standings. The points standings are used to determine which drivers qualify to race in the Chase for the Sprint Cup.

    • 3

      Compete in individual races to earn points. A driver earns 185 points for winning the race, and points decrease by position from second place to 43rd. A driver earns five bonus points for leading a lap during the race, and five more bonus points for leading the most laps during the race.

    • 4

      Be one of the 12 drivers highest in points after 26 races and earn a spot in the Chase for the Sprint Cup. The Chase occurs over the final ten races of the season, with the 12 drivers who qualify for the Chase having their points reset at 5,000; drivers earn 10 bonus points for each race won during the first 26 races. During the Chase, drivers gain points based on the previously mentioned system.

    • 5

      Be the driver with the most points at the end of the final ten races of the Sprint Cup season. That driver wins the Sprint Cup championship.