
NASCAR’s In‑Season Challenge Kicks Off at Sonoma Raceway
The second edition of NASCAR's In‑Season Challenge begins in two weeks at Sonoma Raceway, where the bracket will be set by the latest Cup Series standings after Pocono.
Latest Slidescroller coverage mentioning Ryan Blaney across Nascar.

The second edition of NASCAR's In‑Season Challenge begins in two weeks at Sonoma Raceway, where the bracket will be set by the latest Cup Series standings after Pocono.

Denny Hamlin's fourth win of the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series season at Pocono Raceway reshapes the championship picture, cutting Tyler Reddick's points advantage to under 20. The performance underscores a strong weekend for Joe Gibbs Racing, while the upcoming street‑course event in San Diego promises new challenges for drivers such as Tyler Reddick and Shane van Gisbergen.
Denny Hamlin's unprecedented three‑race winning streak and pole positions highlight a historic NASCAR run, while Toyota’s strong showing and upcoming road‑course events set the stage for a competitive finish.

NASCAR introduced a five‑week, single‑elimination bracket in 2025 that rewards the champion with $1 million, while the 2026 edition expands to new venues and seeds teams by current standings.

The 2026 NASCAR In-Season Challenge will feature head-to-head races across five venues, culminating in a $1 million award for the champion.

NASCAR will host a three‑race weekend in Coronado featuring the Navy 250, United Rentals Driven To Serve 250 and the Anduril 250, highlighting manufacturer line‑ups, points leaders and a slate of veteran drivers.

The upcoming Anduril 250 race at Naval Base Coronado will feature a 39‑driver field, highlighted by notable entries and a potential replacement for Christopher Bell due to injury.

Denny Hamlin captured his third straight NASCAR Cup Series win at Pocono, a result that solidifies his position near the top of the points standings.
NASCAR’s second annual In-Season Challenge will unfold from June 28 through July 26, pitting the 32 drivers who sit highest in the Cup Series standings against one another in a knockout format. The tournament is structured around five distinct venues, each chosen to test different skill sets, from high‑speed ovals to technical road courses. The prize on offer is substantial: the champion of the bracket will walk away with a $1 million payout, a figure that underscores the series’ intent to blend competition with a tangible financial incentive for drivers and teams. Among the storylines generating the most buzz is the early‑round clash between veteran Denny Hamlin and up‑and‑coming Ty Dillon. Hamlin entered the event on a three‑race winning streak, yet last year’s edition saw Dillon pull off an upset that sent Hamlin home earlier than expected, a result that adds a layer of intrigue to their upcoming encounter. The schedule’s diversity is another focal point. Competitors will travel from the historic banks of Indianapolis to the scenic turns of Sonoma, from the thunderous roar of Chicagoland to the tight, tactical layout of North Wilkesboro, and finally to the iconic Brickyard for the championship race, where the final showdown will decide the million‑dollar winner.

Austin Cindric, Ryan Blaney and Joey Logano navigated a challenging Pocono weekend, with strategic pit work and a looming street race at Naval Base Coronado on the horizon.

NASCAR’s new bracket competition begins June 28 at Sonoma and will culminate in a $1 million prize at Indianapolis, featuring a slate of seeded matchups across the season

Denny Hamlin’s third consecutive NASCAR Cup Series win at Pocono was confirmed after a spotless post‑race inspection, while six other cars head to the R&D Center. The victory marks his 64th career win and eighth at Pocono, pushing him to second in the standings behind Tyler Reddick ahead of the San Diego street‑course showdown.

The 2026 NASCAR In-Season Challenge will feature a 32‑driver bracket, beginning at Sonoma Raceway and ending at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, with Ty Gibbs defending a $1 million title.

The weekend features the Navy 250, United Rentals Driven To Serve 250 and the Anduril 250, each with its own schedule, manufacturers and contenders.
A tight‑handling battle, strategic pit stops and a multi‑car incident defined the Pocono race, while the circuit prepares for its next event at a California naval base.

A chaotic nine‑car collision at Pocono Raceway knocked several playoff hopefuls out of contention, altered point balances, and delivered surprising breakthroughs for teams such as Legacy Motor Club.

Denny Hamlin's eighth victory at Pocono, coupled with his announced retirement after the 2027 season, has reignited his pursuit of a final championship, as emerging contenders like Tyler Reddick and Kyle Larson chase points in a tightly contested season.

Denny Hamlin’s third consecutive victory has narrowed the points gap to Tyler Reddick, with Ryan Blaney trailing by 165 points. As the series gears up for a historic event at Naval Base Coronado, Erik Jones climbs inside the cut line and Team Penske’s Austin Cindric remains a threat.

Denny Hamlin's eighth NASCAR Cup Series trophy at Pocono not only extended his winning streak but also cut Tyler Reddick's points advantage, while Michael Jordan's ownership stake and a fuel‑related setback for Christopher Bell added drama to a tightening championship battle.

Austin Cindric finished 14th, Ryan Blaney secured tenth, while Joey Logano’s race was derailed by an early multi‑car incident, setting the stage for the next event at Naval Base Coronado.

Tyler Reddick maintains the top spot in the Cup Series standings, but Denny Hamlin's recent surge narrows the gap, while a cluster of contenders jostle just outside the Chase cutline.

Denny Hamlin led from the pole to claim his third consecutive 2026 NASCAR Cup Series victory at Pocono, narrowing the points gap to leader Tyler Reddick. Todd Gilliland’s first career stage win highlighted Front Row Motorsports, while Christopher Bell’s late pit stop dropped him to 26th and Brad Keselowski fell outside the playoff cutoff.

Denny Hamlin captured his fourth win of the season at Pocono Raceway, extending his record at the track and moving within 19 points of Tyler Reddick as the regular season winds down.

Denny Hamlin captured his eighth win at Pocono Raceway, moving to ninth on the all‑time win list and tightening the points battle heading into the final stretch of the regular season.