The NASCAR Cup Series: A Cornerstone of American Motorsport

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 The NASCAR Cup Series: A Cornerstone of American Motorsport



History and Evolution

Established in 1949 by the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing (NASCAR), the NASCAR Cup Series has become the most prestigious automotive competition in the United States. Initially known as the Grand National Series, it has evolved over the decades to reflect changes in the sport and its sponsorship partnerships.

In 1971, the NASCAR Cup Series introduced sponsorship, leading to a name change to the Winston Cup Series, named after its primary sponsor, the R. J. Reynolds Tobacco Company based in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. In 2004, Nextel Communications, Inc. took over the sponsorship, renaming the event Nextel Cup Series. Then, in 2008, Sprint acquired the sponsorship rights, and the series became the Sprint Cup Series until the end of the 2016 season. From the 2017 season onwards, Monster Energy, an energy drink company, took over the sponsorship, and the competition was renamed the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series until the end of the 2019 season.

Championship Format

The NASCAR Cup Series championship operates on a points system. Since 2018, each race is divided into three segments, with points awarded based on the finishing positions in each segment. The first two segments award points to the top ten drivers, while the third segment, which concludes the race, awards points to all drivers. Since 2018, the “playoffs” have replaced the “Chase,” and laps led do not contribute to points.

The season is divided into two phases:

  1. The First Twenty-Six Races: These races determine the sixteen qualified drivers, primarily based on the number of wins. Drivers are then ranked according to these criteria.
  2. The Final Ten Races: The sixteen qualified drivers compete for the title, with points awarded and a bonus for wins during the first part of the season. This phase is now called the “Playoffs” rather than the “Chase for the Cup.”

Races are primarily held in the Southeastern United States, with half of the events taking place in this region. The remaining races are spread across the United States. Historically, some races have been held in Canada, and exhibition races have taken place in Japan and Australia. The most prestigious race, the Daytona 500, attracted approximately 16 million American viewers in 2009.

Vehicles and Specifications

The cars in the NASCAR Cup Series are designed to be unique in motorsport. They are equipped with powerful engines capable of reaching speeds over 320 km/h. The design of the cars is strictly regulated to ensure parity and limit electronics to essential functions.

Currently, three manufacturers participate in the Cup Series:

  • Ford with the Ford Mustang GT
  • Chevrolet with the Chevrolet Camaro ZL1
  • Toyota with the Toyota Camry


Car Specifications:

  • Engine Displacement: 5.86 liters, V8 Pushrod engine
  • Transmission: Manual, 4-speed
  • Weight: 1,508 kg minimum without driver and fuel; 1,565 kg minimum with driver and fuel
  • Power Output: 725 hp (541 kW) without restrictor plate; 445 hp (332 kW) with restrictor plate (2015)
  • Torque: 720 Nm
  • Fuel: 98 octane E15 supplied by Sunoco
  • Tank Capacity: 67 liters for most tracks
  • Injector Type: McLaren
  • ECU Supplier: McLaren Electronic Systems Freescale TAG-400N
  • Compression Ratio: 12:1
  • Aspiration: Naturally aspirated
  • Wheelbase: 2,794 mm
  • Steering: Power-assisted, recirculating ball
  • Tires: Supplied by Goodyear
  • Safety Equipment: HANS device, 6-point seatbelt provided by Willans, Sabelt (optional: 7-point seatbelt)
Nascar cup series 2024 winners and pilotos the NASCAR Cup Series remains a major event in motorsport, attracting millions of fans and offering thrilling races across the United States.


Here is a summary of the 2024 NASCAR driver standings:

  1. Kyle Larson (United States) - 779 points
  2. Tyler Reddick (United States) - 774 points
  3. Chase Elliott (United States) - 773 points
  4. Denny Hamlin (United States) - 758 points
  5. Ryan Blaney (United States) - 702 points
  6. Christopher Bell (United States) - 701 points
  7. William Byron (United States) - 678 points
  8. Martin Truex Jr. (United States) - 662 points
  9. Brad Keselowski (United States) - 636 points
  10. Alex Bowman (United States) - 615 points
  11. Tyler Gibbs (United States) - 602 points
  12. Bubba Wallace Jr. (United States) - 587 points
  13. Chris Buescher (United States) - 584 points
  14. Ross Chastain (United States) - 584 points
  15. Joey Logano (United States) - 557 points
  16. Daniel Suárez (Mexico) - 497 points
  17. Chase Briscoe (United States) - 485 points
  18. Kurt Busch (United States) - 465 points
  19. Todd Gilliland (United States) - 454 points
  20. Austin Cindric (United States) - 451 points
  21. Michael McDowell (United States) - 431 points
  22. Carson Hocevar (United States) - 414 points
  23. Josh Berry (United States) - 412 points
  24. Noah Gragson (United States) - 400 points
  25. Ricky Stenhouse Jr. (United States) - 376 points
  26. Austin Dillon (United States) - 344 points
  27. Ryan Preece (United States) - 341 points
  28. Erik Jones (United States) - 337 points
  29. Justin Haley (United States) - 329 points
  30. Cody Lajoie (United States) - 327 points
  31. Daniel Hemric (United States) - 323 points
  32. John Hunter Nemechek (United States) - 313 points
  33. Zane Smith (United States) - 262 points
  34. Harrison Burton (United States) - 243 points
  35. Kaz Grala (United States) - 166 points
  36. Corey Lajoie (United States) - 47 points
  37. Josh Hand (United States) - 43 points
  38. Jimmie Johnson (United States) - 39 points
  39. Derek Kraus (United States) - 32 points
  40. David Ragan (United States) - 17 points
  41. Kamui Kobayashi (Japan) - 8 points
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