NASCAR Launches In-Season Challenge: Format and Matchups Announced
Atlanta, GA — NASCAR has introduced an exciting in-season challenge, designed to boost fan engagement and grant a $1 million prize to the winner. The challenge, however, has no impact on the overall championship standings.
The tournament is structured as a bracket-style competition featuring the top 32 drivers based on the points standings from three weeks ago. Notably, Shane van Gisbergen is excluded from participation after entering the top 32 with his Mexico City victory.
Tournament Format
Drivers will face off weekly, head-to-head, where the sole criterion for advancing is finishing ahead of their opponent. Accumulated points over the course of the tournament will not factor into advancement; the challenge span runs for five weeks, coinciding with TNT’s broadcasting of select NASCAR Cup Series races this summer.
The competition kicks off at EchoPark Speedway in Atlanta, continuing through venues including Sonoma, Chicago, and Dover, culminating at the Brickyard 400 in Indianapolis, where the final two contenders will compete.
Key Quotes and Insights
Denny Hamlin, the top seed, aims to leverage his experience, stating, "Competition brings out the best in us. I’m ready to take on the challenge.” In contrast, Ty Dillon, the No. 32 seed, could prove to be a dark horse in this format.
Round 1 Matchups
The first round matchups for the NASCAR Cup at Atlanta are as follows:
- Denny Hamlin vs. Ty Dillon
- Kyle Busch vs. Brad Keselowski
- Alex Bowman vs. Joey Logano
- Bubba Wallace vs. Daniel Suarez
- John Hunter Nemechek vs. Josh Berry
- Chase Elliott vs. Austin Dillon
- Ross Chastain vs. Erik Jones
- Christopher Bell vs. Ricky Stenhouse Jr.
- Chase Briscoe vs. Noah Gragson
- Ryan Preece vs. William Byron
- Ryan Blaney vs. Carson Hocevar
- Kyle Larson vs. Tyler Reddick
- Michael McDowell vs. AJ Allmendinger
- Ty Gibbs vs. Justin Haley
- Zane Smith vs. Austin Cindric
- Chris Buescher vs. Todd Gilliland
As this unique challenge unfolds, all eyes will be on the competitors as they vie for supremacy in a new, thrilling format.
