CHARLOTTE — NASCAR overhauled its championship format Thursday, creating an elimination, winner-take-all system designed to reward "the most battle-tested" driver at the end of the season. An expanded 16-driver field will be whittled down to a final four through three rounds of eliminations. The remaining four drivers will go to the season finale with an equal chance to win the championship: The first of the four drivers to cross the finish line will be crowned Sprint Cup champion.
New championship format on its way
![](https://statesboroherald.cdn-anvilcms.net/media/images/2018/05/30/images/NASCAR_Media_Tour_Aut_Heal.max-1200x675.jpg)
![NASCAR Media Tour Aut Heal](https://statesboroherald.cdn-anvilcms.net/media/images/2018/05/30/images/NASCAR_Media_Tour_Aut_Heal.max-752x423.jpg)