How 2018 NASCAR Fantasy Live works

NASCAR Fantasy Live is back with some enhancements for the 2018 season. Players can sign up right now to be ready to go with the start of the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series season for the Daytona 500 on Feb. 18. Pro tip: One bonus pick must be set by Feb. 11 for qualifying (more on that below!)

Accessing the game to set your roster can be done by logging into your account and going to the Fantasy page (NASCAR.com/Fantasy). You also can access the game by opening the NASCAR Mobile App, logging into your account and clicking the Fantasy icon on the bottom of the app. Here is a primer to get you up to speed on the revamped game for 2018. RELATED: Sign up for NASCAR Fantasy Live today! | Game is all new for 2018 How is the new Fantasy Live game different from last year? First, there's no more salary cap -- you'll select any driver in the field, but can only use each driver 10 times during the season. Second, we’ve added the ability to change your roster during the race. Finally, we've simplified the points -- fantasy points are the same as the points that drivers gain during the race.

What is the roster composition? The roster will consist of five starting drivers as well as a garage driver in reserve (more below on that). Driver and garage selections lock five minutes before the race start time and do not carry over week-to-week, meaning you need to set your roster for each race.

[caption id="attachment_101966" align="alignright" width="174"] A view of the roster page on a mobile device. (NASCAR Digital Media)[/caption] How does the garage driver work? Players can substitute their one garage driver for any starting driver up until the start of the Final Stage. Once the Final Stage starts, there are no more switches allowed. So which drivers end up scoring points? The drivers ending the race in your main roster will comprise the drivers that make up your total score. These are also the drivers who will be counted as being used for that particular race. A driver that ends the race in the garage would not count as being used nor would their results count toward your score. Are there any limits to how much a driver can be used? Yes, players can only use a particular driver up to 10 times over the 26 races. A usage meter will be displayed on your roster screen, showing the number of remaining driver uses in green and the pending/already used total in yellow. There is no salary cap in this year’s game. What is the scoring system? The scoring will reflect the NASCAR Official Scoring System. For example, if Kyle Larson wins Stage 1 & Stage 2 and wins the race, he will earn players 60 fantasy points for that particular race just as he would earn 60 points for himself in the season standings. Drivers running in the top 10 at the end of Stage 1 and Stage 2 receive points, starting with 10 points for first, nine for second, etc. The race winner receives 40 points, while second-place receives 35 points, third receives 34 points and all the way down to 1 point for drivers that finish 36th through 40th.

Are there any bonus picks? Yes, players can make bonus picks for the pole winner, Stage 1 winner, Stage 2 winner, race winner and manufacturer winner. The pole winner bonus pick selection will lock approximately five minutes before the start time of qualifying; Daytona qualifying picks must be set before Feb. 11's pole qualifying day at 12:15 p.m. ET. All other bonus picks lock five minutes before the race start time. Bonus picks DO NOT count against driver usage.

[caption id="attachment_101968" align="alignleft" width="300"] A view of the roster and bonus selection page on desktop. (NASCAR Digital Media)[/caption] What is the value of each bonus pick? Pole Winner (5 points for correct pick) Stage 1 Winner (10 points for correct pick) Stage 2 Winner (10 points for correct pick) Race Winner (30 points for correct pick) Winning Manufacturer (10 points for correct pick)

Will my leagues and teams from last year be available? Yes, any team or league that was active at the end of last season will be available once you log in starting Monday.

How long will the Fantasy Live season last? The game will cover the 26 regular-season races -- from the Daytona 500 on Feb. 18 to the Brickyard 400 on Sept. 9.