How the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs Grid Challenge works

During the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs, fans will have the opportunity to compete in the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs™ Grid Challenge Presented by Goodyear on their own or as part of a created league. Following the conclusion of the regular-season finale at Daytona International Speedway, your postseason knowledge will be put to the test. So, what should you know before putting on your prediction caps? Keep reading to learn more about this game, and, of course, register for a free NASCAR.com account and join NASCAR Fan Rewards to make your selections. RELATED: NASCAR Fantasy hub | Grid Challenge Why do I need an account? Registering for an account allows you to score points and track your progress throughout the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs. Additionally, a NASCAR.com account allows you to track the latest news, customize updates and learn insider information throughout the playoffs and beyond. If you already have a registered NASCAR.com account, simply logging in with the same credentials will allow you to compete without additional steps or the creation of a new account. Additionally, you must be a NASCAR Fan Rewards member in order to participate in the game, so sign up if you have yet to do so! Can I create multiple entries? All entrants are eligible to create up to three entries per person. Does the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs™ Grid Challenge Presented by Goodyear work on mobile? Participants can access the challenge and fill out brackets on mobile web and desktop applications. Can I set up a league? In addition to joining the overall leaderboard, participants can create their own leagues to compete with friends and others throughout the community. Leagues can be public and available for anyone to join or private and password-protected. To join or create a league, follow the instructions on the Leagues tab. There, you can see participants, standings and point totals for each of your league entries. Creating or joining a league does not impact prize eligibility. League play is for entertainment purposes only; there are no prizes for winning a league. When can I register? Registration opens on or about Aug. 18 and closes at 6 p.m. ET on Aug. 31, the beginning of the Round of 16 at Darlington Raceway. MORE: How the NASCAR Playoffs work | Cup Series schedule When can I make my picks? Following the conclusion of the regular-season finale at Daytona, NASCAR will set the official grid on or about Aug. 24. From then until Aug. 31 at 6 p.m. ET, you can make your selections. What is the game format? The NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs™ Grid Challenge Presented by Goodyear will be a single-submission format this season, a change from previous seasons when selections were made on a round-by-round basis. Yes, that means you will pick the entire playoff grid, from who you think advances to the Round of 12 to who hoists the championship crown. The order of drivers does not matter when making selections. In other words, choose wisely! You only have one shot; once the Round of 16 officially begins, you will not be able to edit entries or make new picks for the duration of the contest. Is there a points system? Yes. Participants will receive 10 points for each driver selected that advances from the Round of 16 into the Round of 12. For each driver selected that advances from the Round of 12 to the Round of 8, 20 points will be awarded. For each driver selected that advances from the Round of 8 to the Championship 4, 40 points will be allotted. Finally, 80 points will be awarded to participants who correctly predict the driver to win the 2025 Cup Series title. The points for all four rounds are added together to determine the overall winner. Scoring factors in official finishing order after post-race inspection. What are the prizes I can win for competing? Cash prizes for the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs™ Grid Challenge Presented by Goodyear are awarded to the top three eligible entrants in the overall standings. One first-place winner will receive $10,000, one second-place winner will receive $5,000 and one third-place winner will receive $2,500. Participants can track their place in the standings with the live leaderboard over the duration of the 10-race playoffs. Accounts listed in the top three positions -- or any other position -- may not necessarily be the top participants eligible to win prizes. See the official rules for additional information on rules, eligibility, prizes, tiebreak procedures and more. Who are the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs drivers? The 16-driver field will be cemented Aug. 23 following the conclusion of the regular-season finale at Daytona. Four drivers are eliminated after each round, ending with the Championship 4 battling for the Bill France Cup at Phoenix Raceway. To keep track of who's still in the playoffs, visit our standings page and click on the playoffs tab.