What Is 2016 Chase for the Sprint Cup

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 2016 Chase for the Sprint Cup was NASCAR's 10-race playoff that determined the season champion, culminating in Jimmie Johnson winning his seventh title on November 20, 2016, at Homestead-Miami Speedway.

Key Facts

The 2016 Chase featured a 16-driver field reduced through three elimination rounds.
Jimmie Johnson won his seventh NASCAR Cup Series title, tying Richard Petty and Dale Earnhardt.
The final race was held on November 20, 2016, at Homestead-Miami Speedway.
Three drivers advanced from each of the first three rounds, with four competing in the finale.
Kyle Busch was the defending champion but was eliminated in the Round of 8.

Overview

The 2016 Chase for the Sprint Cup was the postseason playoff system used by NASCAR to determine the champion of the NASCAR Cup Series. It replaced the traditional points-based season format with a win-and-advance structure, emphasizing race victories and performance under pressure.

Spanning 10 races from September to November, the Chase featured elimination-style rounds that progressively narrowed the field from 16 to 4 drivers, culminating in a winner-take-all finale. The format was designed to increase excitement and viewership during the final stretch of the season.

16 drivers qualified for the Chase, based on wins and regular-season points, creating a diverse field of contenders.
The Chase began on September 17, 2016, at Chicagoland Speedway with the Advocare 500, setting the stage for the playoff drama.
Each round—Round of 16, Round of 12, Round of 8—eliminated four drivers, leaving four finalists for the championship race.
Wins were critical: any driver in the top 16 in points with a win after the regular season could advance to the next round.
The final race, the Ford EcoBoost 400, was held at Homestead-Miami Speedway on November 20, 2016, where Jimmie Johnson clinched his title.

How It Works

The Chase format was structured to reward race wins and consistent performance, with elimination rounds increasing the stakes. Drivers accumulated points within each round, but a win guaranteed advancement, regardless of points standing.

Round of 16: The first elimination round included all 16 qualifiers. After three races, the bottom 4 were eliminated based on points if they didn’t win.
Round of 12: The remaining 12 drivers competed over three races, with the bottom 4 eliminated after the Dover 400 on October 2, 2016.
Round of 8: Eight drivers advanced, competing through three races, with eliminations after the AAA Texas 500 on November 6, 2016.
Championship 4: The final four—Jimmie Johnson, Joey Logano, Carl Edwards, and Kyle Busch—raced at Homestead, with the highest finisher among them winning the title.
Points reset: After each round, points were reset with bonuses for wins, ensuring competitive balance heading into the next stage.
Win-and-advance: A victory in any Chase race automatically moved a driver to the next round, making race strategy and aggression crucial.

Comparison at a Glance

Below is a comparison of the 2016 Chase structure with previous NASCAR playoff formats:

Feature	2016 Chase Format	2013 Chase Format	2004 Original Chase
Number of Drivers	16	13	10
Elimination Rounds	3 (after 3 races each)	None – all raced to end	None – full points race
Finalists	4	1 champion by points	1 champion by points
Win Requirement	Win to advance in each round	None – based on points	None – based on points
Championship Race	Winner-take-all among final 4	Points accumulation over 10 races	Points accumulation over final 10 races

The 2016 format marked a significant evolution from earlier versions, emphasizing dramatic elimination rounds and reducing the reliance on season-long consistency. This shift made individual races more consequential and increased suspense, especially in the final rounds where only four drivers competed for the title.

Why It Matters

The 2016 Chase for the Sprint Cup was a pivotal moment in NASCAR history, not only for its format but also for its historic outcome. Jimmie Johnson’s victory tied him with Richard Petty and Dale Earnhardt for the most Cup Series championships, cementing his legacy.

Legacy milestone: Johnson’s seventh title equaled two of NASCAR’s greatest legends, elevating his status in motorsports history.
Format innovation: The elimination-style Chase influenced how other sports structured their playoffs, emphasizing excitement over long-term consistency.
Increased viewership: The 2016 finale saw a 12% rise in ratings compared to 2015, attributed to the suspenseful format.
Driver strategy shift: Teams prioritized aggressive racing to secure wins, knowing it guaranteed advancement regardless of points.
Marketing boost: NASCAR leveraged the Chase format in advertising, promoting it as a 'winner-take-all' postseason similar to NFL or MLB playoffs.
Controversy and critique: Some fans argued the win-and-advance system devalued season-long performance, sparking debate about fairness.

The 2016 Chase exemplified NASCAR’s effort to modernize its championship structure, balancing tradition with entertainment. While debated, its impact on fan engagement and driver strategy continues to shape the sport’s future.