Default Rules for Driver Group Game 2026

Join my public league to compete with the most players:

DGG League - Cup (ID #2)

Compete in the DGG League for DGG Hall of Fame Awards eligibility. Since commissioners can modify league settings, including races and drivers, not all leagues offer a standard scoring comparison. Hence, DGG Hall of Fame recognition is exclusive to these Public Leagues.

Each league has a specific Rules page detailing any gameplay changes. While many follow Default Rules, it's wise to check for variations in driver groups, races, and scoring.

Driver Group Game is a weekly game covering the entire 2026 season:

The full season is split into three segments.

Cup Series Segments

SPRING:
- Race #01: DAYTONA 500 on Feb. 15, 2026 at Daytona International Speedway
- Race #13: CHARLOTTE on May. 24, 2026 at Charlotte Motor Speedway
SUMMER:
- Race #13: NASHVILLE on May. 31, 2026 at Nashville Superspeedway
- Race #26: DAYTONA on Aug. 29, 2026 at Daytona International Speedway
PLAYOFFS:
- Race #27: DARLINGTON on Sep. 06, 2026 at Darlington Raceway
- Race #36: HOMESTEAD-MIAMI on Nov. 08, 2026 at Homestead Miami Speedway

Play Driver Group Game for just $5.00, whether as a player, commissioner, or both, in one or multiple leagues. Payment is securely processed through PayPal, no account needed. Players starting at the season's beginning have until March 8th, 2026, to pay. This is by the start of the 4th race of the season. Talk about "Try it before you buy it"! What other fantasy NASCAR game gives you that freedom?

New players must register, while returning players can log in to continue in their leagues and view past season histories. Join anytime from the season start until the final 2024 race deadline. The game runs weekly contests, Monday to Sunday, with Monday racing if needed.

Join multiple leagues with just one site registration; each league has its own unique entry form.

Form a Private League by inviting selected friends or colleagues. To join a Private League, obtain its ID# and password from the founder. Alternatively, create a Public league open to all.

Your league membership continues each season, eliminating the need to create new leagues annually.

Your team entry automatically carries over from race to race. While it's best to set an optimal lineup each time, if you miss a race, your previous lineup will be used. Note: if a 'carry over' driver's eligible starts reach 0, they won't earn points.

Weekly Reminder Emails

Weekly email reminders are sent before each race to prompt your entry update before partial lock (details below).

Drivers are categorized into Groups A, B, and C based on past or predicted performance and remain in their assigned group all season, though new drivers may be added. For each race, select an eight-driver team: two from Group A, four from Group B, and two from Group C. Finalize your lineup by clicking 'Save Team'.

Points from a substitute driver in a partially- or fully-locked roster count for your team, charging the original driver a start. This applies even if a driver starts but hands over mid-race. If a replacement is announced before partial lock, you must select them to earn points, and this will count as a driver usage. No points are awarded if the original driver is still selected.

I don't want to blow-up someone's game

I aim for leniency to avoid ruining your season over an unexpected driver replacement. The timing of such announcements is crucial. I'll determine how close to partial lock this occurs and if the above rules apply clearly in each situation.

Each driver can be used in a maximum of nine races per team. After nine races, they won't earn points, even if listed in your entry. This limit is fixed regardless of when you join. Driver starts don't reset at season segments; using a driver nine times in one segment makes them ineligible for points thereafter. Drivers at zero starts won't earn qualifying points, even on your Bench. Track your driver starts on the entry form.

I learned the value of qualifying BONUS points from Marlon Clark (Hot Rod Lincoln), a Fantasy NASCAR Expert on my site. He shared a spreadsheet showing his season-long qualifying points accumulation, which consistently placed him ahead and contributed to his top 1% scores at Yahoo! every year.

Starting Drivers & Bench drivers

Your entry form features eight drivers from three groups, hence 'Driver Group Game':

Two 'Group A' (A1, A2), four 'Group B' (B1, B2, B3, B4), two 'Group C' (C1, C2).
All earn Qualifying Bonus points (1st-5th place).
Starters' (A1, B1, B2, C1) also earn Lap, Stage, Finish points; they count towards maximum starts.
'Bench' (A2, B3, B4, C2) only earn Qualifying Bonus; no usage count.
If NASCAR sets the race lineup without qualifying, no qualifying points are awarded, except in the Truck Series."

First Race of the Season

For the season's first Cup race (DAYTONA 500 ), qualifying bonus points are not awarded due to unique Cup qualifying rules and to accommodate new entries. However, the Truck Series will earn qualifying points from the start, as it does for all races, regardless of race time lock.

Your League. Your Rules.

Since 2023, leagues can opt out of the default Partial-Lock before Qualifying, a choice available to Commissioners. Without this lock, lineups remain open until Qualifying. You can set Qualifying Bonus points to 0, or, like 'DGG League - Trucks', award them despite knowing starting positions. This offers a strategy choice: secure upfront points or select drivers likely to finish strong.

'Partial' Lock

Your Cup and Xfinity entry forms 'Partially Lock' 60 minutes before scheduled qualifying for races that include practice. Races that do not have practice (Atlanta, Daytona & Talladega) your entry forms will 'Partially Lock' at the same time qualifying is scheduled. The exact lock time is shown on your entry form and under 'About > League Rules' in each league. Initial lock times are set for 8AM ET on qualifying day, subject to update as race schedules finalize. Keep an eye on updates and check the reminder email for the correct time.

'Full' Lock

'Full' Lock occurs just before the green flag, based on NASCAR Media's Weekend Schedule. Be aware, the lock may happen minutes before the actual start. Avoid last-minute changes based on pre-race commentary; stick to the scheduled lock time to prevent an incomplete roster.

If NASCAR moves the start time earlier than published, entry forms will lock at the new time. For later start times (due to weather or other reasons), the original entry deadline remains unchanged.

It's Like Thunder, Lightnin'

Once entries are locked, they won't be reopened for any reason.

FINISH POSITION reflects the driver's place at race end, based on Unofficial Results.

Disqualification from post-race inspection doesn't alter a driver's Stage Positions, Finishing Position, or Laps Led.

I don’t penalize players for choosing a driver whose team is found cheating post-race.

Driver scores update post-qualifying and post-race, reflecting in league standings. Below are default scoring values; commissioners can adjust these to fit their league’s preferences.

DGG LEAGUE - CUP League ID: 2

Public League: YES
Use Lucky Dog Scoring?: NO
Lead Most Laps: 5 points
Lead a Lap: 5 points
Qualify Pole: 10 points
Qualify 2nd: 5 points
Qualify 3rd: 4 points
Qualify 4th: 3 points
Qualify 5th: 1 points
Stage Finish: 1: 10 points
Stage Finish: 2: 9 points
Stage Finish: 3: 8 points
Stage Finish: 4: 7 points
Stage Finish: 5: 6 points
Stage Finish: 6: 5 points
Stage Finish: 7: 4 points
Stage Finish: 8: 3 points
Stage Finish: 9: 2 points
Stage Finish: 10: 1 points
Race Finish: 1: 100 points
Race Finish: 2: 90 points
Race Finish: 3: 88 points
Race Finish: 4: 86 points
Race Finish: 5: 84 points
Race Finish: 6: 82 points
Race Finish: 7: 80 points
Race Finish: 8: 78 points
Race Finish: 9: 76 points
Race Finish: 10: 74 points
Race Finish: 11: 72 points
Race Finish: 12: 70 points
Race Finish: 13: 68 points
Race Finish: 14: 66 points
Race Finish: 15: 64 points
Race Finish: 16: 62 points
Race Finish: 17: 60 points
Race Finish: 18: 58 points
Race Finish: 19: 56 points
Race Finish: 20: 54 points
Race Finish: 21: 52 points
Race Finish: 22: 50 points
Race Finish: 23: 48 points
Race Finish: 24: 46 points
Race Finish: 25: 44 points
Race Finish: 26: 42 points
Race Finish: 27: 40 points
Race Finish: 28: 38 points
Race Finish: 29: 36 points
Race Finish: 30: 34 points
Race Finish: 31: 32 points
Race Finish: 32: 30 points
Race Finish: 33: 28 points
Race Finish: 34: 26 points
Race Finish: 35: 24 points
Race Finish: 36: 22 points
Race Finish: 37: 20 points
Race Finish: 38: 18 points
Race Finish: 39: 16 points
Race Finish: 40: 14 points
Driver Group A Max Starts: 9 per driver
Driver Group B Max Starts: 9 per driver
Driver Group C Max Starts: 9 per driver
NASCAR Series: CUP Series
Lock A: YES
Segments: 1 points

Default driver groups are listed below; leagues may adjust these based on their preferences.

Cup Driver Groups

Group A

Chase Briscoe - A
Chase Elliott - A
Christopher Bell - A
Denny Hamlin - A
Kyle Larson - A
Ryan Blaney - A
Shane van Gisbergen - A
William Byron - A

Group B

Alex Bowman - B
Austin Cindric - B
Austin Dillon - B
Brad Keselowski - B
Bubba Wallace - B
Chris Buescher - B
Erik Jones - B
Joey Logano - B
Josh Berry - B
Kyle Busch - B
Michael McDowell - B
Ross Chastain - B
Ryan Preece - B
Ty Gibbs - B
Tyler Reddick - B

Group C

AJ Allmendinger - C
Anthony Alfredo - C
Austin Hill - C
BJ McLeod - C
Brennan Poole - C
Burt Meyers - C
Carson Hocevar - C
Casey Mears - C
Chad Finchum - C
Chandler Smith - C
Cody Ware - C
Cole Custer - C
Connor Zilisch - C
Corey Heim - C
Corey Lajoie - C
Daniel Suarez - C
David Starr - C
Derek Kraus - C
Helio Castroneves - C
Jesse Love - C
Jimmie Johnson - C
JJ Yeley - C
Joey Gase - C
John Hunter Nemechek - C
Josh Bilicki - C
Justin Allgaier - C
Justin Haley - C
Katherine Legge - C
Noah Gragson - C
Ricky Stenhouse Jr - C
Riley Herbst - C
Ryan Truex - C
Timmy Hill - C
Todd Gilliland - C
Ty Dillon - C
Will Brown - C
Zane Smith - C

How to Play Driver Group Game