What is the maximum amount of points that can be gained or lost in a Nascar cup race?

Question

I'm trying to figure who can best survive a DNF at this time. The points margin is starting to widen a little between certain positions.

Thanks!

Answer 1

161 is the max # between 1st and last, if no penalties are imposed by nascar.

Answer 2

195 for winning and leading most laps

34 for last place

a difference of 161

Answer 3

depends upon whether or not the team is caught doing something "not up to nascar standards" or if the driver tries running over someone on pit road.  those penalties can make for a bad weekend.

the maximum points that can be gained otherwise, is 195.  if a driver wins and leads the most laps, he gets 195 points - 185 for the win, and five each for "leading a lap" and for "leading the most laps.")  thus, the maximum loss is then that number minus the number of points that same driver would receive for not qualifying (0 points).  

for those who are locked in (or who qualify), however, the max change up or down is 161.  if he wins and leads the most laps, he gets 195 points (see above).  if the driver gets into a race, finishes last, and gets no bonus points, he receives 34 points.  so in that case, the max up or down (given no penalties, is 195-34 = 161).