The NASCAR Manufacturers' Championship is awarded by NASCAR to the most successful manufacturer over a season, as determined by a points system based on race results. The Manufacturers' Championship was first awarded in 1952, to Hudson.
Different car make/engine combinations are considered to be different manufacturers for the purposes of the Championship. Up to the 2013 season, the Manufacturer's Championship points were calculated by adding points scored in each race by the highest finishing driver for that manufacturer. The winning manufacturer earns nine points, while the second-highest finishing manufacturer earns six points. The third-highest manufacturer earns four points, and the fourth-highest three points.[1] For the 2014 season, NASCAR made the decision to mirror the points structure of the Owner's Championships. Under this system, the highest finishing driver for each manufacturer earns the same number of points the representing team earned during the race, including bonus points for wins and laps led.[2]