The NASCAR Sprint Cup Rookie of the Year Points System

My previous blog post begs the question, how on earth does the RoTY points system work. While I was writing that last post, the whole time I'm thinking "What? How has Scott Speed hung so close in points? Or, how did Joey Logano hold a points lead after finishing behind Speed?" Well, if there is anyone reading this blog yet, here is the points system explained.

1) The highest-finishing rookie in each race earns 10 points, the second-highest, nine points, etc.

2) Only the top-17 race results, of the 36-race 2009 Sprint Cup schedule, for each RoTY candidate are counted in the RoTY race.

Rule 2 means that the third viable RoTY contender, Max Papis, does have a shot at the RoTY honors, because he is scheduled to run 18 races. All three RoTY drivers, Logano-Speed-Papis, can have any number of bad races, or even missed races, and still be in it to win it, if they qualify and finish well in at least 17 races.

3) In order to be eligible for the RoTY award, a driver must attempt to qualify in at least eight of the first 20 events.

Again, Mad Max Papis makes the cut. By the time race 20 (Allstate 400 at Indianapolis) has been run, Papis' schedule has him attempting to make 9 races.

4) Attempting to qualify for a race earns the rookies one bonus point, which is a bonus that is available for all 36 events.

Advantage of 18 points each to Logano and Speed, who should be attempting to qualify for each of the 36 events (Papis only attempting 18).

5) Bonus points are awarded for a top-10 finish. A rookie who wins a race is awarded 10 points, second place gets nine and so on down the line with a 10th-place effort earning one point.

There have been no collectors of the top-10 finish bonus points, yet.

6) "Segment Bonus Points." The season is divided into three segments, the first segment being the first ten races of the season, the second segment being the second ten races of the season, and the third segment being the final 16 races of the season. The candidate with the most championship points in each segment earns ten bonus RoTY points, the candidate with the second-most championship points earns nine, etc.

This is where Papis will lose most of his ground in the RoTY points chase. He will run only 3 of the first 10 races on the schedule; 6 of the second 10; and 9 of the final 16 races. Assuming that Logano and Speed attempt and make most of the 36 races, they should easily outscore Papis in Sprint Cup championship points, and gain 28-30 RoTY points on Papis.

7) Following the final race of the season, the highest-ranking rookie in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series championship points standings receives 10 bonus points. The second-highest rookie earns nine points, third receives eight, etc.

8) During the final weekend of the season, a Raybestos Rookie of the Year panel meets and rewards favorable conduct in the following categories: Conduct with NASCAR officials in the garage and pit areas; conduct and awareness on track; personal appearance and relationship with the media. The panel rates each driver, with scoring ranging from a maximum of 10 to a minimum of 1. Total points will be averaged from each panel member’s ballot. The points derived from the panel will be added to the entry, competition, and bonus points after the final race of the season to determine the overall Raybestos Rookie of the Year winner.

Mad Max could actually have an edge, here. He is a very competent racer, well presented and a well mannered individual. He has many years of experience dealing with on-track stress and off-track media relations. The media gets alot of energy and excitement out of a Papis interview!

The RoTY Season, To Date

After 7 races, Logano and Speed have attempted 7 races, and Papis has attempted 2 races. There has been only one race (Shelby 427, Las Vegas), where all three RoTY candidates made the race. In that race Logano finished 13th, Speed 21st, and Papis 35th. Logano has had the highest finish among RoTY drivers in 5 of the 7 races, and Speed was highest in 2 of the 7 races run. Here is the breakdown of RoTY points scored, as of the completion of the Samsung 500 (Texas, Race 7).

Joey Logano, 75 points
7 Qualifying Attempts (1 pt. each) = 7 points
5 Highest Finishes (10 pts. each) = 50 points
2 2nd Highest Finishes (9 pts. each) = 18

Scott Speed, 63 points
7 Qualifying Attempts (1 pt. each)= 7 points
2 Highest Fiinishes (10 pts. each)= 20 points
4 2nd Highest Finishes (9 pts. each) = 36

Max Papis, 19 points
2 Qualifying Attempts (1 pt. each) = 2 points
0 Highest Finishes = 0 points
1 2nd Highest Finish (9 pts. each) = 9 points
1 3rd Highest Finish (8 pts. each) = 8 points

So there you have it! It's not confusiong at all... I think.