NASCAR is dramatically changing its format for the upcoming season, cutting every race into stages that reward points in hopes of making every lap matter. Other changes:— The winner of the first two stages of each race will receive one playoff point, and the race winner will receive five playoff points. Each playoff point will be added to the driver total at the start of the playoffs. — All playoff points will carry through to the end of the third round of the playoffs. — The exhibition duels during Speedweeks at Daytona next month will now be worth 10 points to the two race winners.

Source: Fox News January 24, 2017 00:00 UTC