NASCAR Sprint Cup Championship 2014

After a successful test of the new Gen 6 mod, we're all set for the next series.  Once again we'll be mirroring what the real life format is following (at least as much as possible) for the Sprint Cup Series.  As far as drivers go, right now we've got the original Fab 5.  I have Lee and Odie's cars on standby whenever they believe they are ready.  Also, I need to send out an updated car file for Kurt Busch for you all to update so keep an eye out for an email.

Here's the weekend setup:

7:00-7:45 Practice
7:45-7:50 Qualifying
7:50-8:00 Happy Hour
8:00~9:00 Race

AI Strength: ~85-100+ %
Full Flags, yellows are still Race Back to the Line
Damage: Realistic
Weather: Realistic
Wear Modifier 2-3x (expect at least 1-2 pits per race)

Lucky Dog awarded to human drivers who are the first car a lap down.
1 race restart is allowed if there is a yellow flag before the lead driver completes the first lap.  Incidents occurring exactly on or before the start do not count towards the "Mulligan".

Points:
Awarded in reverse order fashion: 1st = 43, 2nd=42, 3rd=41...43rd=1pt
1 bonus point for leading a lap
1 bonus point for leading the most laps

And this year, we WILL be trying the Chase format in all of its new elimination weirdness.  Here's how it works:

• The number of drivers qualifying for the Chase Grid is 16.
• Fifteen of the 16 slots in the Chase Grid are reserved for the drivers with the most race wins over the first 26 races. The remaining spot is reserved for the points leader after 26 races, but only if that driver does not have a victory. If fewer than 16 drivers have wins in the first 26 races, the remaining Chase Grid spots are filled by winless drivers in order of season points. As in the recent past, all drivers on the Chase Grid have their driver points reset to 2,000 prior to the Chase, with a 3-point bonus for each win in the first 26 races.
• The Chase is now divided into four rounds. After each of the first three rounds, the four Chase Grid drivers with the fewest season points are eliminated from the Grid and championship contention. Any driver on the Grid who wins a race in the first three rounds automatically advances to the next round. Also, all drivers eliminated from the Chase have their points readjusted to the regular-season points scheme.
  • Challenger Round (races 27–29)
    • Begins with 16 drivers, each with 2,000 points plus a 3-point bonus for each win in the first 26 races.
  • Contender Round (races 30–32)
    • Begins with 12 drivers, each with 3,000 points.
  • Eliminator Round (races 33–35)
    • Begins with eight drivers, each with 4,000 points.
  • NASCAR Sprint Cup Championship (final race)
    • The last four drivers in contention for the season title start the race at 5,000 points, with the highest finisher in the race winning the Cup Series title.

In addition to this setup, missed races will have points calculated from the average of previous races BEFORE the Chase to determine where drivers are positioned.  At this point, Chase drivers may only have one missed race awarded with averaged "makeup" points and must complete at least 1 race per elimination round in order to be eligible.  The finale is excluded from the "makeup" system, however if a previously eligible driver were to miss, their points would be recalculated as though they were eliminated from the previous round.

Confused?  Don't worry, it will all work out so Jimmie and Jr get in.

We'll do Daytona this Wednesday and my power adapter is here so there should be no worries there.