I literally wrote a full story on it recently, breaking it all down.

Here: https://www.indianaopenwheel.com/sho...d.php?t=115409

It's also always in our rule book on the USAC website, which shows how all the points are awarded.

Appearance points are used when the event's format deviates from the "standard" USAC format of single car qualifying, heat race, semi & feature.

The final two races this weekend at Merced will utilize the standard USAC format. However, they will both be "appearance points" races because they are a replacement for the Hangtown 100, which was to be an "appearance points" event all three nights. So, basically moving the "apperance points" races to another track in this case.