![steem_cup_series3.jpg](https://steemitimages.com/DQmYQu7wsn5gmGruYnQXcZTpmVoUCYqbPXb2vnvmAPtTVLY/steem_cup_series3.jpg)

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It was another highly competitive week for the STEEM Cup Series. The top-5 places were separated by only *two* points! It was a great start for the playoff run!

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<center><h2>STEEM Cup Series Results – Tales of the Turtles 400</h2></center>

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For the second straight week, @antv found their way into the winner’s circle!

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Place | Contestant | Points
--- | --- | ---
1st | @antv | 108 **(107.5)**
2nd | @barcalogia | 107 
3rd | @brian.rrr | 107 **(106.5)**
3rd | @lordkingpotato | 107 **(106.5)**
4th | @jsock | 106
5th | @joendegz | 106 **(105.5)**

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Only the top three are rewarded for the weekly contest. The totals in parentheses are the true totals after all calculations and those point values are used for weekly placement. The rounded totals are used for monthly and season calculations. 

The total pot for the weekly contest was **24 SBD.**  The 1st place contestant received **12 SBD,** the 2nd place contestant received **7.2 SBD,** and each of the 3rd place contestants received **2.4 SBD.** You can find the [proof of payouts in my Steem wallet](https://steemit.com/@ats-david/transfers).

Please keep in mind that all points will accumulate for the monthly and season-long contests.  Here are the top-10 contestants for the *STEEM Cup Series* through the current month’s standings.  The top-5 contestants each month will receive prizes and the top-10 for the season will also receive prizes.  The current monthly contest will run through the end of October.

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Place | Contestant | Points
--- | --- | ---
1st | @antv | 267
2nd | @investwarrior | 256 
3rd | @davor27 | 250
4th | @adrianobalan | 237
5th | @vicspics | 232
5th | @barcalogia | 232
7th | @chops316 | 227
7th | @jsock | 227
7th | @sevinwilson | 227
10th | @lydon.sipe | 223

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<center><h2>STEEM Cup Series Contest</h2></center>

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### Race Information

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**ISM Connect 300**
**Sunday, September 24, 2017 – 2:00pm ET**
**New Hampshire Motor Speedway – Loudon, New Hampshire**

The *Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series* heads back to New England this week for the [ISM Connect 300](http://www.espn.com/jayski/cup/races/2017/story/_/id/20475503/new-hampshire-2017-nascar-race-info).  The New Hampshire Motor Speedway is a 1.058-mile oval track.  The race is scheduled for 300 laps (317.4 miles), with two 75-lap stages and one final 150-lap stage to determine the race winner.

The season *Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series* points leader, Martin Truex Jr., won the first playoff race, giving him 58 playoff points and a 27-point overall lead over Kyle Larson going into this week’s race. Kevin Harvick, Brad Keselowski, and Kyle Busch round out the top five points leaders.

The current weather forecast for Sunday’s race time in Loudon has temperatures in the upper-80s with light wind and no expected precipitation.

You can find the drivers’ updated qualifying times/positions prior to race time at the following link: [NASCAR Race Center](http://www.nascar.com/racecenter.html).

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### Driver Selections and Points

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*Please note the changes that have been made for the remainder of the season and the addition of the playoff format below.*

Each contestant will choose three drivers for the weekly *STEEM Cup Series* from the [field of qualifying drivers](http://www.nascar.com/racecenter.html).  Based on the number of drivers and the final results of the race, drivers will be assigned points as follows:

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Results | Points Awarded
--- | ---
1st place | 40
2nd place | 39
3rd place | 38
... | ...
38th place | 3
39th place | 2
40th place | 1

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**Once these points are tallied, they will be divided by 2.**  After the points are divided, the following bonus points will be awarded:

*__+15 points__ for unique driver combinations.*  If two or more contestants select the same drivers, then only the first contestant to post those selections will earn the bonus points.  **ENTRIES THAT ARE NOT UNIQUE DRIVER COMBINATIONS WILL NOT BE ELIGIBLE FOR ANY OF THE ADDITIONAL BONUS POINTS.**

*__+20 points__ for the race winner.*

*__+5 points__ for each driver finishing the race ahead of MY DRIVER.*

**My selected driver for the ISM Connect 300 is:  RYAN NEWMAN** 
*Contestants cannot choose* RYAN NEWMAN *as one of their drivers for this race.*

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### STEEM Cup Series Playoff Format

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After the completion of the Apache Warrior 400 on October 1st, the season points leader and **all contestants within 400 points of the leader** will have 100 bonus points applied to their *season* total. 

After completion of the Hollywood Casino 400 on October 22nd, **the top-12 contestants in the season contest** will have 100 bonus points applied to their *season* total. 

After completion of the Can-Am 500 on November 12th, **the top-5 contestants in the season contest** will have 100 bonus points applied to their *season* total. 

**The Ford Ecoboost 400 will be the season championship race.** 

*All weekly and monthly contests will continue as scheduled with regular scoring and separate prize pools.*

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### How to Play and Win

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1.  In a comment on this post, submit the *full names* of your three drivers.  **ONLY ONE COMMENT SUBMISSION PER USER, PER WEEKLY CONTEST.**

2.  Submissions will be confirmed and locked in at the start of the weekly race.  **ALL CONTEST SUBMISSIONS MUST BE ENTERED PRIOR TO THE SCHEDULED START TIME OF THE RACE.** Late submissions and any edits after that time will be automatically disqualified from the weekly contest.

3.  There will be three winners each week.  The winners will be the contestants with the most points gained, based on the points distribution outlined in *Driver Selections.*  All point totals earned from all contestants will carry over for the monthly and season-long contests. 

4.  The contest is funded with a minimum pot of **10 SBD**.  The total weekly pot distribution will be divided as follows:

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Place | Rewards Percentage
--- | ---
1st | 50%
2nd | 30%
3rd | 20%

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**In the event of a tie, the true point total (non-rounded value of total points) will be used in an attempt to break the tie. If a tie remains, then the pot will be split between the tying contestants.**

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<center><h2>Please help with outreach by sharing this post outside of Steemit!</h2></center>

One of the goals for this contest and the fantasy sports development project is to bring sports fans/enthusiasts to Steemit, keep them engaged on the platform, and onboard them into the Steem ecosystem.  So, please invite your friends and family to Steemit and share this with any NASCAR/racing fans or sports enthusiasts.  Growing the active user base can benefit all users and investors, no matter their interests.  

As always, please ReSteem this post and let’s grow the sports community through posting, discussing, competing, *and earning!* 

Thank you for participating and good luck!

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<center><h3>Special thanks to @blocktrades for supporting and sponsoring this Steemit community event!</h3></center>  

<center>Please show him support in return with a [witness vote](https://steemit.com/~witnesses) and by using the [BlockTrades services](https://blocktrades.us/).</center>

<center>![blocktrades0cfd9.jpg](http://www.steemimg.com/images/2016/11/17/blocktrades0cfd9.jpg)</center>

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**Follow me: @ats-david**