At first glance, American Football may seem like a complex tactical game – full of jargon and chaos. But don’t worry: once you've got the basics down, terms like “Quarterback”, “O-Line” and “Punt” quickly become part of an exciting game full of action and strategy.
American Football may seem chaotic at first – but once you understand the basic rules, the thrill of the sport quickly becomes clear. Hard-hitting tackles, tactical plays and dramatic touchdowns shape the game. We’ll give you a clear overview of how American Football works and what you need to know as a spectator.
Race Rules and Formats
Stages (Segmented Racing)
Each race is divided into 3 stages
Points are awarded to the top 10 drivers in each stage
Stage wins are strategically important for the points system and playoff qualification
Points System
Winner: 40 points + 5 bonus points
Places 2–35: progressively fewer points
Extra points for stage wins
Bonus points for leading laps and for most laps led
Playoffs (Chase for the Cup)
The final 10 races of the season form the playoffs
16 drivers qualify
4 elimination rounds: Round of 16, 12, 8, and the Championship 4
Drivers are eliminated after each round – Race 36 decides the champion
Yellow Flag / Caution
Races are paused in case of accidents or debris (yellow flag)
Drivers may pit during this phase
The field is bunched up again – increasing tension and unpredictability
Green-White-Checkered Finish (Overtime)
If a race would end under yellow, an overtime is triggered:
Green flag: restart
White flag: final lap
Chequered flag: finish
Pit Stops
Strategically crucial
Specific pit window rules and pit lane regulations apply
Crossing the line or speeding in the pit lane = penalties
Special Rules / Prohibitions
Bump Drafting: Pushing the car in front to gain speed is allowed on certain tracks, but it’s risky and can easily lead to crashes
Blocking: Defensive blocking is permitted, but often results in contact or accidents
Track Limits: Barely enforced – oval tracks offer plenty of room and allow for more freedom compared to other series
Penalties: Can include drive-through penalties, time penalties, or “pass-through penalties” for infractions such as speeding in the pit lane or unsafe driving
Our Betting Options
Got the hang of NASCAR? Then let’s go!
Our betting portfolio at MERKUR BETS offers you wagers on some of the world’s top NASCAR events – so check out MERKUR BETS and place your bet on your favourite!