What Is 2013 Chase for the Sprint Cup

Overview

The 2013 Chase for the Sprint Cup was the postseason playoff system used by NASCAR to determine the champion of its premier series. It marked the ninth season under the Chase format and the third under the expanded 13-driver Wild Card system introduced in 2011. The playoff spanned 10 races, beginning on September 15 at Chicagoland Speedway and ending on November 17 at Homestead-Miami Speedway.

This season was notable for competitive balance and dramatic momentum shifts among top drivers. Jimmie Johnson ultimately claimed his sixth career championship, tying Dale Earnhardt Sr., while enduring mechanical failures and mid-Chase adversity. The format continued to emphasize winning races, as Matt Kenseth’s seven regular-season victories highlighted the importance of consistency.

• 10-race playoff: The Chase consisted of 10 races starting with the GEICO 400 on September 15 and ending with the Ford EcoBoost 400 on November 17.
• 13-driver field: The top 10 in points after 26 races qualified, plus two Wild Cards—highest-ranked non-top-10 drivers with the most wins.
• Points reset: The 10 qualifiers received a 3,000-point base plus 3 bonus points per regular-season win, creating a reset leaderboard.
• Elimination not yet used: Unlike later formats, 2013 did not feature elimination rounds—all 13 drivers competed in all 10 races.
• Johnson’s dominance: Jimmie Johnson won 6 of the 10 Chase races, including 4 consecutively from Charlotte to Phoenix, sealing his title run.

How It Works

The 2013 Chase format blended performance-based qualification with a points reset to create a competitive postseason. Introduced in 2011, the Wild Card system allowed drivers outside the top 10 in points to qualify by winning races, increasing unpredictability and rewarding victory-focused strategies.

• Qualification: The top 10 in points after 26 races made the Chase, ensuring consistency mattered throughout the regular season.
• Wild Card: Two additional spots went to the highest-ranked drivers outside the top 10 with the most wins, if not already qualified.
• Points Reset: All Chase drivers started the playoff with 3,000 points, with 3 bonus points per win added to their total.
• Win-and-advance: While not formalized until 2014, winning a race in the Chase boosted a driver’s confidence and media profile, influencing momentum.
• Final Standings: The champion was determined by highest cumulative points after the 10 Chase races, with no elimination rounds.
• Playoff Tiebreaker: In case of a tie, number of wins during the Chase was the primary decider, followed by regular-season performance.

Comparison at a Glance

Below is a comparison of the 2013 Chase format with previous and future NASCAR playoff systems:

This table illustrates NASCAR’s evolving playoff philosophy. The 2013 format retained the Wild Card structure but lacked the dramatic elimination rounds introduced in 2014. It emphasized consistency and win accumulation, with Johnson’s late-season surge exemplifying how momentum could decide titles under this system.

Why It Matters

The 2013 Chase was a pivotal moment in NASCAR history, bridging the old points system with the more theatrical, elimination-based formats that followed. It showcased Jimmie Johnson’s dominance while exposing the need for greater suspense, which led to format changes in 2014.

• Historic achievement: Johnson’s sixth title matched Dale Earnhardt Sr., placing him one behind Richard Petty’s record of seven.
• Legacy of competition: The battle between Johnson, Kenseth, and Kyle Busch delivered high TV ratings and fan engagement.
• Format transition: The 2013 season was the last before NASCAR introduced elimination rounds in 2014, making it a turning point.
• Importance of wins: Kenseth’s 7 wins proved crucial, though Johnson’s 6 Chase victories underscored postseason excellence.
• Team performance: Hendrick Motorsports, Johnson’s team, demonstrated technical superiority and strategic mastery throughout the Chase.
• Cultural impact: The season helped sustain NASCAR’s relevance amid declining viewership trends in the early 2010s.

The 2013 Chase remains a benchmark for competitive balance and driver excellence, remembered for Johnson’s resilience and the final iteration of NASCAR’s original playoff model before major structural changes.