A Bracket‑Style Showdown Begins
This weekend the second annual NASCAR In‑Season Challenge launches at Sonoma Raceway, kicking off a five‑race, bracket‑style tournament that offers a $1 million prize to the ultimate champion. The format pits 32 NASCAR Cup Series drivers against one another in head‑to‑head matchups, with the higher‑finishing competitor in each pairing advancing and trimming the field each week.
Tyler Reddick earned the No. 1 seed after a strong first half of the season, a positioning that reflects his consistent performance and sets the tone for the competition. The seeding was originally determined by the race at Pocono, but Reddick’s momentum has carried him to the top spot.
The tournament’s schedule spans a variety of track types, beginning with Sonoma’s road course, followed by events at Chicagoland Speedway, EchoPark Speedway, North Wilkesboro Speedway, and culminating on July 26 at the iconic Indianapolis Motor Speedway, where the champion will be crowned.
Fans Get a Shot at $1 Million
NASCAR invites fans to join the In‑Season Bracket Challenge, where a perfect prediction of every matchup earns a $1 million prize. All five races will air across TNT Sports platforms, ensuring broad visibility for the new format.
Coverage is anchored by veteran voices Dale Earnhardt Jr., Steve Letarte, and Adam Alexander, who will guide viewers through the action with expanded camera coverage and enhanced streaming options on HBO Max, offering fans a deeper, more immersive experience.
What’s at Stake
Beyond the monetary reward, the challenge adds a fresh competitive layer to NASCAR’s summer stretch, encouraging drivers to strategize and fans to engage more deeply with the sport. The bracket structure creates weekly storylines that keep the audience invested from Sonoma through to Indianapolis.