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(AP) -- NASCAR has thrown out the points system used since 1975 in favor of a straight scoring format based on finishing position.

NASCAR chairman Brian France made the change official Wednesday night. It will give 43 points to the race winner and decrease through the field down to 1 point for the 43rd-place finisher.

The race winner will receive three bonus points. Each driver who leads a lap will receive one bonus point, and the driver who leads the most laps will receive an additional bonus point.

Also, the Chase for the Sprint Cup championship field will be filled by the top 10 drivers in points after the 26th race of the season. The final two spots will go to race winners not already eligible.

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