Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Season 1

Season 1 of the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series will begin at Daytona International Speedway with the Bluegreen Vacations Duel qualifying races, and the Daytona 500. This will be the inaugural season of the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series.

Schedule
Season 1 of the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series will follow a 36 race schedule with 26 races in the regular season and a 10 race playoff. The regular season begins at Daytona International Speedway and also concludes at Daytona International Speedway. After Daytona International Speedway 16 drivers will make the playoffs with full-time winners qualifying automatically and the rest of the 16 spots being filled by the top finishers in points without a win. The round of 16 is made up of Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Richmond Raceway and the Charlotte Roval. After the Charlotte Roval the playoff field will be cut from 16 drivers down to 12 drivers with winners in the round gaining an automatic berth to the round of 12. After this cut the playoff drivers points will be reset. The round of 12 is made up of Dover International Speedway, Talladega Superspeedway and Kansas Speedway. After Kansas, the playoff grid is cut from 12 drivers to 8 drivers, once again with winners in the round gaining an automatic berth to the next round and advancing drivers points being reset. The round of 8 is made up of Martinsville Speedway, Texas Motor Speedway and Phoenix Raceway. After Phoenix, 4 drivers move on to compete for the championship at Homestead-Miami Speedway. Winners in the round of 8 earn an automatic berth into the final. The top finisher of the final 4 at Homestead will be crowned the champion.