Sixteen drivers qualify for the NASCAR Cup Series playoffs. The field is assembled after the regular season, traditionally through race victories and then regular-season points when more drivers win than available playoff places.
The playoffs use an elimination format. The 16-driver field begins with the Round of 16, followed by the Round of 12 and Round of 8. Four drivers are eliminated after each of the first three rounds, leaving the Championship 4 to compete for the title in the final race.
The system was introduced in 2004 as NASCAR’s “Chase for the Cup” and was renamed the playoffs in 2017. The number 16 can cause confusion because NASCAR’s other national series use different field sizes: the Xfinity Series has 12 playoff drivers, while the Craftsman Truck Series has 10.
Another common mix-up is confusing playoff qualification with the number of races. The Cup postseason traditionally spans 10 races, but only 16 drivers begin that championship battle.