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NASCAR insider baffled by seeding system for new In-Season Challenge
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.
More must-reads:
- Atlanta Motor Speedway rebranded in seven-year, multi-million dollar deal
- Where the NASCAR Cup Series playoff picture sits after Nashville
- The 'NASCAR Coca-Cola 600 winners since 2000' quiz
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Eagles geared up for another Super Bowl run after Jaelan Phillips trade
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Three offseason trade targets for Blue Jays to add an impact bat
The Toronto Blue Jays and their fans are fresh off the most heartbreaking loss in franchise history. Putting the defending champion Los Angeles Dodgers on the brink of elimination with two cracks to win the World Series at home, only to lose two nail-biters that each came down to the final out. It’s going to take a long time to get over it, if that’s even possible to do. However, they'll have to turn the page rather quickly because in just three days, the negotiating window for free agents expires, and all are free to sign wherever they so choose. Toronto will be busy in an attempt to retain the likes of star shortstop Bo Bichette and starting pitchers Shane Bieber, Chris Bassitt and Max Scherzer. At the same time, the front office must be active in improving its roster from the outside, whether that’s via free agency or trade. While there are some intriguing names for the Blue Jays to target on the open market, given their needs, heading down the trade route could make the most sense. Here are three ideal trade targets for the Toronto Blue Jays to add an impactful left-handed bat to their lineup for 2025-26 and beyond: Oneil Cruz | Pittsburgh Pirates Cruz’s name popped up in trade rumors ahead of the deadline in August, and it’s fair to wonder if he still could be available if Pittsburgh gets the right offer. The 27-year-old has all of the tools to be one of the best hitters in baseball, standing at 6-foot-7, 240 pounds with extreme power and bat speed. His numbers last season (20 HRs, 61 RBI), while solid, didn't reflect his talent, but it's understandable given the lack of protection around him on the Pirates. In Toronto, Cruz could slot in behind Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Bichette, immediately becoming the most dangerous left-handed hitter in a right-heavy lineup. Matt Wallner | Minnesota Twins The 39th overall pick back in 2019 may not publicly be on the trade block, but after its sell-off at the deadline, it doesn’t feel like anyone is untouchable in Minnesota. Like Cruz, Wallner, at 6-foot-4 and 220 pounds, has big-time power, and the Blue Jays saw that firsthand when he crushed three HRs and six RBI during their three-game series in Toronto in late August. He does have some swing and miss in his bat (.231 career average), but with how often the top of the Blue Jays lineup gets on base, all it takes is one swing for Wallner to put up a crooked number on the scoreboard. Jarren Duran | Boston Red Sox The 2024 All-Star Game MVP has been in constant trade discussions for over a year now, and it feels inevitable that he gets dealt out of Boston this winter. Duran had more of an up-and-down 2025 campaign, though he's displayed the ability to drive in runs (84 RBI) and has power with even more untapped potential. Combine that with his speed and athleticism, and you can see why so many teams would love to acquire him. Trading within the division is never easy, but the 29-year-old would be a perfect fit in the middle of Toronto's lineup, so it's something they should absolutely look into.
Cowboys Announce Exciting Development on Saturday
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