The regular season comes to an end at Daytona International Speedway, and William Byron has already clinched the regular season title. 14 drivers have won their way into the playoffs, and the final two spots will be decided this weekend. But if you're already lost, or a fan who needs a refresher, look no further.
This year marks the eleventh year with the knockout-style format. Originally called 'The Chase' in 2004 and involving ten drivers who simply tried to gather more points than the others over the course of the final ten races, the system has become something entirely different in the modern era. It was just over a decade ago when NASCAR decided to do a a complete overhaul and introduce an expanded playoff field, eliminations, and ten races split into four distinct rounds to determine the Cup Series' Season Champion.
So, how exactly does it work? Here's a simplified breakdown of it all:
