NASCAR Cup Series driver Brad Keselowski thinks the new In-Season Challenge is good for the sport and its fans. Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

NASCAR insider baffled by seeding system for new In-Season Challenge

By Colby Colwell | Last updated Jun 3, 2025 4:31 PM ET

NASCAR will debut a bracket-style tournament later this month, when the new In-Season Challenge takes over for TNT's five-race stretch on June 28 at the rebranded EchoPark Speedway (formerly Atlanta Motor Speedway).

The 32 drivers have already been determined following the race at Nashville on Sunday night. Before they battle for the $1M prize in the bracket-style elimination tournament, drivers will be seeded based on their best finish in the next three races at Michigan International Speedway, Mexico's Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez and Pocono Raceway.

NASCAR's decision to determine the seeding that way, rather than by the current points standings, left The Athletic's Jeff Gluck confused in a post he made on X on Tuesday.

Dude...check out this find from @_DanielCespedes. NASCAR is going to seed the in-season tournament by best finish plus tiebreakers over the next three races. It's not even points. Lmaooo WHY WOULD THEY DO THIS??? JUST USE THE STANDINGS! https://t.co/k0hD5gNTYV
— Jeff Gluck (@jeff_gluck) June 3, 2025

The only way points will be factored in depends on tiebreaker scenarios if multiple drivers finish with the same position across the three races.

The In-Season Challenge comes in the middle of the Cup Series regular season and the grueling summer stretch. Seeding system aside, the tournament provides drivers with an added incentive and introduces something new to the sport. Not to mention, it is a competition, something 2012 Cup Series champion Brad Keselowski made note of.

"It's good for the sport, good for our fans, and it's a competition," Keselowski said. "If there's competition, we want to win it."

Whether you agree with the seeding system or not, the In-Season Challenge provides drivers with another prize to chase and will treat fans to battles within the race that might otherwise go overlooked.

NASCAR has not shied away from changes in recent years, and this is just another example of that. With a versatile schedule on tap, the In-Season Challenge will reward the most consistent driver over the five-race stretch and potentially build momentum toward the playoffs at the end of the season.

Colby Colwell

Colby Colwell is a freelance contributor with a bachelor’s in Computer & Information Technology and a minor in Psychology from Western Kentucky University. With a deep passion for sports, especially NASCAR, he offers his substantial knowledge along with his adept writing skills. When he’s not writing, Colby enjoys traveling, cooking, and spending time with his family

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