![steem_cup_seriesa5ef9.jpg](http://www.steemimg.com/images/2017/02/24/steem_cup_seriesa5ef9.jpg)

### Please note the recent rule changes for this contest.

In the results post from earlier this week, I mentioned rule changes that would apply starting with this week’s contest.  These changes needed to be made due to a scoring issue with the **_MY DRIVER_** element of the points system.  Please be sure to read the adjusted rules in the **_Driver Selections_** section.  

You can find the results for the Quiktrip 500 contest here: [RESULTS: Steemit Scramble and STEEM Cup Series – March 6, 2017](https://steemit.com/sports/@ats-david/results-steemit-scramble-and-steem-cup-series-march-6-2017).

The *STEEM Cup Series* contest is part of a funding initiative for a [fantasy sports platform to be developed on the STEEM blockchain](https://steemit.com/fantasysports/@bacchist/introducing-the-steemit-fantasy-sports-development-fund).  Support and feedback about the contests and initiative is appreciated.

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

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### Race Information

**Kobalt 400**
Sunday, March 12, 2017 – 3:30pm ET
Las Vegas Motor Speedway – Las Vegas, Nevada

The *Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series* will be in Sin City this weekend for the [Kobalt 400](http://www.nascar.com/en_us/race-center/sprint-cup-series/kobalt-400.html).  The Las Vegas Motor Speedway is a 1.5-mile track and this race is scheduled for 267 laps, bringing the total mileage to 400.5.  With the new racing format this year, the race will be split into three stages – the first and second stages will be 80 laps each, and the third will be 107 laps.

Brad Keselowski was last year’s winner with an average speed of 138.17 miles per hour and a race time of 2 hours, 53 minutes, and 55 seconds.  He also won the Kobalt 400 in 2014.  Among other drivers, Keselowski will be trying to defend his crown against the 2015 winner and current *Cup Series* points leader, Kevin Harvick.  

The drivers have not yet completed qualifying for their start positions in Sunday’s race.  You can find their current practice times and the updated qualifying times/positions on Friday evening at the following link: [NASCAR Race Center](http://www.nascar.com/racecenter.html).  I will also update this post after qualifying is complete.

**[EDIT] - Brad Keselowski has secured the pole position for Sunday's race.  Martin Truex Jr. will be starting in second position.  Ryan Blaney, Matt Kenseth, Kyle Larson, and Joey Logano finish out the first three rows.  You can see the full qualifying results and race positions at the Race Center link above.**

The current weather forecast for Sunday’s race is sunny, with highs in the mid-80s.  There will be a light breeze and there is no expected precipitation.    

### Driver Selections

Each contestant will choose three drivers for the weekly *STEEM Cup Series* from [the field of 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:

<hr>

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

<hr>

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

*__+15 points__ for the race winner.*

*__+10 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.

*__+3 points__ for each driver finishing the race ahead of MY DRIVER.*

*__-2 points__ for each driver finishing the race behind MY DRIVER.*

**My selected driver for the Kobalt 400 is:  PAUL MENARD** 
*Contestants cannot choose* PAUL MENARD *as one of their drivers for this race.*

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### How to Play and Win

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 AT 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 **50 STEEM**.  The total weekly pot distribution will be divided as follows:

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

**In the event of a tie, 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 users to Steemit, keep them engaged on the platform, and onboard them into the STEEM cryptocurrency 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!

<hr>

<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**