NASCAR makes another starting lineup formula change for the playoffs
By Asher Fair
NASCAR has made a slight change to the starting lineup formula that is to be used throughout the 2020 playoffs for the Cup Series, Xfinity Series and Truck Series.
NASCAR recently introduced a new formula to set the starting lineups for Cup Series, Xfinity Series and Truck Series races as the replacement for the random draws which had been utilized for most of the races that were contested since the sport returned from the 10-week hiatus caused by the coronavirus pandemic back on Sunday, May 17.
This formula places 50% weight on each driver’s finish in the most recent race, 35% weight on each team’s position in the owner standings, and 15% weight on the rank of each driver’s fastest lap in the most recent race.
One change for the playoffs that had already been publicized is the fact that all of the championship eligible drivers are slated to line up at the front of the field.
More from NASCAR Cup Series
- NASCAR Cup Series: New team set to compete in 2024
- NASCAR: Surprising name continuously linked to new seat
- NASCAR driver at risk of missing the Daytona 500?
- NASCAR set for rare appearance last seen 13 years ago
- NASCAR team adds third car, names driver for 2024 Daytona 500
For example, the 16 round of 16 drivers would like up in the top 16, even if a non-playoff drivers scores better in this formula.
The same would be the case for the round of 12, the round of 8 and the Championship 4.
But now another change has been made to this formula. There is still a 35% weight on each team’s position in the owner standings and a 15% weight on the rank of each driver’s fastest lap in the most recent race.
However, the 50% weight on each driver’s finish in the most recent race has been split up into two categories of 25% in select instances.
According to Fox Sports’ Bob Pockrass, 50% of this 50% (so 25% of the entire formula) weight is on the finishing position of the car, and the other 50% (again, 25% of the entire formula) of this weight is on the finishing position of the driver.
NASCAR has tweaked the starting lineup formula. The finishing position of the car will be 25% of the formula and the finishing position of the driver will be 25% (this helps teams that change drivers). It takes effect immediately. So my tweets earlier this week will need tweaking
— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) September 1, 2020
However, the 25% weight on the finishing position of the driver does NOT apply if that driver changes cars. That 25% weight would be based on a 41st place finish in the previous race, while the 25% weight on the finishing position of the car would be the actual finishing position of the car.
Just found out that the 25% driver finish in the lineup formula does not apply to a driver who changes vehicles for the next event. So driver finish would be considered 41st for that 25% for the driver. Where that car finished would be 25% of the formula.
— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) September 1, 2020
Next. Top 10 NASCAR drivers of all-time. dark
Most of the full-time drivers, specifically the playoff drivers, will not be directly affected by this change, unless they happen to miss a race at some point.