
Bust or Bracket-Buster? NASCAR’s $1M In-Season Tournament Unfolds
When NASCAR inked its new broadcast deal, branching off five-race packages to different entities, it set the stage for an experimental in-season tournament. Recognizing an opportunity, NASCAR launched a 32-driver tournament kicking off this weekend in Atlanta, coinciding with TNT's five-race stretch.
Here’s the deal: Post-Nashville, the top 32 in driver points qualified. Seeding hinged on their best finishes over the last three races—Michigan, Mexico City, and Pocono—with Denny Hamlin snagging the top seed. Ties came down to next-best results, or who crossed the line first with identical placements.
The brackets are set. The tournament shadows the next five regular season events. In Atlanta, matchups feature No. 1 seed Hamlin against No. 32 Ty Dillon, No. 2 Chase Briscoe against No. 31 Noah Gragson — the best finisher at each event advances. By Chicago, it’s down to eight; Sonoma trims to four; and by Indy, only two remain. No reseeding means drivers track potential rivals from the outset.
Incentives are high—they’re gunning for a cool $1 million prize, but only the victorious driver cashes in. Naturally, questions arise: Is seeding based on recent races fair? William Byron, the points leader, starts as the 18th seed, while second-in-standings Kyle Larson is 10th. Could a points-based system give more consistent results?
There’s intrigue in matchups like Michael McDowell vs. AJ Allmendinger, each sharp at drafting and road courses, pivotal with Chicago and Sonoma in the mix. These wildcard tracks might just produce an unexpected Final 4.
NASCAR's framing this as a team sport; it’s the individual who reaps rewards. The outcome? More driver focus per management, perhaps changing the sport's dynamic temporarily.
This is an experimental run—not set in stone for 2026. There are lessons to learn along the way.
Fan engagement is crucial. Aside from racing buzz, it adds another layer for spectators filling out brackets, betting, or finding alternate race fantasies if their favorite falls out early. Rather than racing monotony, it's a chance to talk strategy and potential upsets.
Will a Hendrick driver score the million? Unanswered. But surely, this venture will stir interest beyond the perennial playoff chatter.
Stay tuned, watch the brackets unfold, and update your picks—I’m busy with mine.