CONCORD, N.C. — NASCAR announced ahead of the 2026 Cup Series season that the In-Season Challenge will have some changes.
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This bracket-style tournament, which pays one driver $1 million, made its debut last season. Ty Gibbs won the money after beating fellow finalist Ty Dillon at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Now, the tournament returns for 2026 with new tracks and a new process to determine the matchups.
According to an announcement made at the NASCAR R&D Center, the driver point standings will determine the bracket. The driver leading the points after the Cup Series race at Pocono Raceway on June 14 will be the top seed.
This marks a change from the inaugural In-Season Challenge when the final three races of the Prime Video schedule set the bracket.
The three races that set the bracket in 2025 were Michigan International Speedway, Mexico City, and Pocono Raceway. Denny Hamlin entered the tournament as the top seed despite missing one of the qualifying races for the birth of his child. He had the best average finish with one win and a runner-up finish.
The tournament will not immediately start with the next race on the schedule, which takes place on Naval Base Coronado. NASCAR specifically left this event out because it is new. The In-Season challenge will consist entirely of familiar tracks.
The 32 drivers in the bracket will match up first at Sonoma Raceway on June 28. Each driver with the best finish in his respective matchup will advance to the second round. Eight drivers will then advance to the third round, four will advance to the fourth round, and then two will face off in the fifth round.
The fifth round marks the end of the In-Season Challenge. Two drivers will enter eligible for the prize money. The one with the better finish will secure the $1 million.
The 2026 In-Season Challenge Schedule
- Sonoma Raceway on June 28 — 32 drivers
- Chicagoland Speedway on July 5 - 16 drivers
- EchoPark Speedway (Atlanta) on July 12 - 8 drivers
- North Wilkesboro Speedway on July 19 - 4 drivers
- Indianapolis Motor Speedway on July 26 - 2 drivers
As was the case in 2025, all of these five races will air on TNT. The broadcast partner will have exclusive coverage as Cup Series drivers battle for the $1 million prize.
