How does the chase work? What is the chase exactly?

Question

new to nascar and was just wondering

Answer 1

The top 12 drivers in points after Saturday night's race is Richmond make it into the chase. There are ten races in the chase and those drivers fight for the top 10 and the championship.

Answer 2

With 10 races left the points are reset and the top 12 drivers go at it (simply speaking) for the championship. Positions 13 through 43 the points DO NOT reset.

Answer 3

The Chase is NASCAR's version of the Play-Offs. Top 12 make it. 10 races.  

Answer 4

The Chase for the Sprint Cup, originally known as "The Chase for the Championship" during its creation, and then "The Chase for the Nextel Cup" (from 2004 to 2007) is the championship system used in NASCAR's top division, the Sprint Cup Series. The Chase was announced on January 21, 2004, and first used during the 2004 Nextel Cup Series. The format used from 2004 to 2006 was modified slightly for the 2007 season. The 10 race Chase pits the 12 drivers with the highest "regular season" points against each other, while racing in the standard field of 43 cars. Beginning with the 2008 Sprint Cup Series, the Chase will be known by its new name as a result of the merger of Nextel Communications with Sprint Corporation. The driver with the most points after the final 10 races is declared the champion.

Answer 5

Previous poster nailed it, short and sweet.  Give that man his 10 pts!

Answer 6

26 races to get in the top 12, then 10 to race for the cup. 10 bonus points for each win.