How many drivers typically compete in a NASCAR race? All you need to know

As per the NASCAR charter system, a minimum of 36 entries, all with charters, start every race of the season. The current charter system was agreed upon in 2016, with teams being allocated the charter based on their average number of permanent entries from the previous years. The maximum number of cars that can start a race is 40.

Before the introduction of the charter system, a maximum of 43 cars could start a NASCAR Cup Series race. However, in 2016, the number was reduced to 40. If the number of cars exceeds 40, then the 36 cars with the charter system, plus the next 4 fastest cars in qualifying will be allowed to start the race.

NASCAR Cup Series Championship Race - Source: Getty

As per NASCAR, the 36 charters and guaranteed entries for the 2024 season were divided amongst the teams as: Hendrick Motorsports (4), JTG Daugherty Racing (1), Kaulig Racing (2), Richard Childress Racing (2), Spire Motorsports (3), Trackhouse Racing (2), Front Row Motorsports (1), RFK Racing (1), Rick Ware Racing (2), Stewart–Haas Racing (4), Team Penske (3), Wood Brothers Racing (1), 23XI Racing (2), Joe Gibbs Racing (4), Legacy Motor Club (2).

Most of the entries outside of the 36 charters are either part-time teams or a full-time team with a part entry. RCR recently announced to field a third car on the grid part-time entry. The part-time entries usually focus on the bigger races of the year to run. The viewership is higher for the bigger events, making it easier to get a sponsor for those races, and usually, the payouts are also better. The Brickyard 400 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and the Daytona 500 are examples of these bigger events.

However, the number of entries and drivers participating in the NASCAR playoff varies.

---

Number of Drivers competing in the NASCAR playoff

The number of drivers competing in the NASCAR races changes after the first 26 races of the season. According to the playoffs format, the Top 16 drivers with a race win, or with the maximum amount of playoff points in the first 26 races (depending on the amount of race winners) qualify for the Round of 16 playoffs.

NASCAR Xfinity: ToyotaCare 250 - Source: Imagn

With only 10 races remaining in the season, the 16 drivers again compete over the next 3 races. 12 drivers will make it to the Round of 12, which is based on the same rules as for the playoff. These 12 will then compete over the next 3 races to make it to the Round of 8.

With four races left in the season, these 8 drivers will compete in the next three races to decide the final 4 who will compete in the championship decider. The winner of the final race is crowned the champion.

If we put these playoff rules into the number of drivers for the final 10 races then, round 27-29 (16 drivers), round 30-32 (12 drivers), round 33-35 (8 drivers), and four drivers for round 36.