NASCAR Tournament Update: Round 3 Matchups at Sonoma Raceway
Ty Dillon’s remarkable journey in NASCAR’s in-season tournament continues as he advances to Round 3, having now eliminated both Denny Hamlin and Brad Keselowski. Dillon will face Alex Bowman, the last remaining driver from Hendrick Motorsports, at Sonoma Raceway.
Bowman’s progression came after a fierce encounter with Bubba Wallace in Chicago, where contact ended Wallace’s race early as he crashed into the wall.
A noteworthy matchup will see John Hunter Nemechek and Erik Jones, both of Legacy Motor Club, compete against each other after Nemechek narrowly bested Chase Elliott last week. This internal team battle adds an intriguing layer to the competition.
Ryan Preece, the last driver from RFK Racing still in the tournament, has drawn Tyler Reddick. Preece’s advance came with relative ease as Noah Gragson faced issues on the track, while Reddick managed to stay clear of trouble despite his rival Carson Hocevar’s early exit.
In the final pairing, Ty Gibbs will take on Zane Smith. Gibbs, despite struggling in 2025, clinched a solid runner-up finish in the previous race, while Smith has consistently advanced, defeating Chris Buescher by four positions.
Round 3 Matchups at Sonoma
- Alex Bowman (No. 8) vs. Ty Dillon (No. 32)
- John Hunter Nemechek (No. 12) vs. Erik Jones (No. 20)
- Ryan Preece (No. 15) vs. Tyler Reddick (No. 23)
- Ty Gibbs (No. 6) vs. Zane Smith (No. 14)
As the tournament progresses, teams and fans anticipate exciting battles that highlight both individual skill and strategic team dynamics.
