NASCAR is replacing the complicated scoring system it has used since 1975 with a more straightforward format, says Chairman Brian France.
A race winner will now receive 43 points under the new system, and the points will decrease down to 1 for the 43rd-place driver. There will be three bonus points for the winner, one bonus point for every driver who leads a lap, and one bonus point to the driver who leads the most laps.
The maximum points available now will be 48.
Under the previous system, a race winner was awarded 180 points, five bonus points for leading a lap, and five points for leading the most laps. The maximum under the old system was 190 points.
NASCAR starts February 20, 2011 at 9:00 am at Daytona Speedway.