All three national series follow an elimination-style postseason format. Each round is made up of three races, with the final race of each round acting as a playoff elimination race, where a number of drivers (four in most cases) are eliminated from the postseason. This culminates with the Championship 4 title race, where the highest-finishing playoff driver among the Championship 4 in each series is crowned the champion. This year’s Championship Weekend is Oct. 31-Nov. 2 at Phoenix Raceway.
Sixteen drivers qualify for the NASCAR Cup Series postseason, 12 for the Xfinity Series and 10 for the Craftsman Truck Series.
The simplest way to qualify for the NASCAR Playoffs is to win a race, which clinches a postseason spot. At the end of the regular season when the field is set, series winners advance into the postseason. Any remaining positions are filled based on regular-season points.
NASCAR Cup Series
Elimination races, where four drivers are eliminated from playoffs: Bristol Motor Speedway (Sept. 13), Charlotte Motor Speedway Roval (Oct. 5), Martinsville Speedway (Oct. 26)
NASCAR Xfinity Series
Elimination races, where four drivers are eliminated from the playoffs: Charlotte Motor Speedway Roval (Oct. 4), Martinsville Speedway (Oct. 25)
NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series
Elimination races: New Hampshire Motor Speedway (Sept. 20; two drivers eliminated), Martinsville Speedway (Oct. 24; four drivers eliminated)
Full NASCAR Playoffs schedule
NASCAR Cup Series
- 16 drivers, four rounds
- Round of 16 races: Darlington Raceway (Aug. 31), World Wide Technology Raceway at Gateway (Sept. 7), Bristol Motor Speedway (Sept. 13)
- Round of 12 races: New Hampshire Motor Speedway (Sept. 21), Kansas Speedway (Sept. 28), Charlotte Motor Speedway Roval (Oct. 5)
- Round of 8 races: Las Vegas Motor Speedway (Oct. 12), Talladega Superspeedway (Oct. 19), Martinsville Speedway (Oct. 26)
- Championship 4 race: Phoenix Raceway (Nov. 2)
NASCAR Xfinity Series
- 12 drivers, three rounds
- Round of 12 races: Bristol Motor Speedway (Sept. 12), Kansas Speedway (Sept. 27), Charlotte Motor Speedway Roval (Oct. 4)
- Round of 8 races: Las Vegas Motor Speedway (Oct. 11), Talladega Superspeedway (Oct. 18), Martinsville Speedway (Oct. 25)
Championship 4 race: Phoenix Raceway (Nov. 1)
NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series
- 10 drivers, three rounds
- Round of 10 races: Darlington Raceway (Aug. 30), Bristol Motor Speedway (Sept. 11), New Hampshire Motor Speedway (Sept. 20)
- Round of 8 races: Charlotte Motor Speedway Roval (Oct. 3), Talladega Superspeedway (Oct. 17), Martinsville Speedway (Oct. 24)
Championship 4 race: Phoenix Raceway (Oct. 31)