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The Championship Points Race
The Championship Points Race
In order to win the ultimate prize, the annual Sprint Cup,
the winner must accumulate more points throughout the
season than any other driver. Even though Jimmie
Johnson won his 5th consecutive championship last year,
Dale Earnhardt, Sr. and Richard Petty still hold the record
with 7 each. In 2011, NASCAR underwent a major revision
in how they calculate driver points throughout the season.
The formula used prior to 2010 was confusing to fans and
teams and commonly raised questions with all
stakeholders. To avoid confusion, a much simpler formula
was created.
Drivers are awarded a specific number of points each race based on the following
statistics:
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Ending position in race
Bonus points awarded for:
o Winning the race
o Leading the most laps
o Leading at least one lap
Other things to consider when calculating points:
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Deductions COULD be taken for violating race rules, however, this is
usually taken from team points or punishments in other forms such as loss
of lap(s), monetary fines, or restarting at the end of the lineup.
There are always 43 cars in each race
Qualifying position does not earn any points
Task #1: Review the data on the following pages and record any facts or trends
that you notice about the point standings. The information included includes two
items for the first three races of the season: (1) The final race results and (2) The
point standings after those races. Record all of your informal observations below:
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The Championship Points Race
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The Championship Points Race
Task #2: Using the data given and your observations recorded in Task #1,
hypothesize what you think the rules are for calculating the championship points
for each race.
NOTE: If you already know the rules for championship points, please do not tell
the others the answers.
Task #3: Write a formula that represents the rules you noted above. Be sure to
include a key labeling what each variable represents.
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The Championship Points Race
Task #4: Tell us a way that you can use this formula and data to teach a math
lesson in a class you are teaching this year.
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