NASCAR In-Season Challenge: Upsets Rewrite the Bracket
The second round of the NASCAR In-Season Challenge delivered a cascade of unexpected results, as drivers seeded lower in the draw defied expectations and advanced.
Alex Bowman, piloting the No. 32 entry, secured a decisive victory over No. 16 Austin Cindric at Chicagoland Speedway, keeping his campaign alive despite being the tournament’s lowest seed.
Todd Gilliland, Chase Briscoe, William Byron and Christopher Bell also pulled off upsets, each overcoming higher-seeded opponents to stay in contention.
The surprise outcomes have reshaped the bracket, leaving only three of the original top four seeds — No. 2 Denny Hamlin, No. 3 Ryan Blaney and No. 4 Chase Elliott — among the survivors.
Round three of the in-season tournament is slated for July 12 at EchoPark Speedway, where the remaining contenders will battle for a spot in the final showdown.
The upcoming race promises high stakes, as each driver looks to capitalize on momentum while the lower-seeded upstarts aim to extend their surprising runs.