NASCAR Cup Series Launches $1M In-Season Challenge

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    HAMPTON, Ga. — NASCAR’s In-Season Challenge made its inaugural appearance at the Cup Series race held in Atlanta on Saturday night, drawing varied opinions and expectations from the drivers involved. Despite the debut of this new challenge, teams remained focused on the primary goal of accumulating points to secure a playoff berth and chase the championship. For some, this new tournament took a backseat to more pressing priorities.

    Joey Logano didn’t view the tournament as a distraction, stating, “If there’s something to win, you want to go win it.” Logano shared these thoughts before securing the pole position for the night’s race in his Team Penske Ford.

    At the top of the 32-driver In-Season Challenge is Denny Hamlin, holding the No. 1 seed, while Chase Briscoe, who bagged his first win for Joe Gibbs Racing at Pocono Raceway last week, sits as the No. 2 seed. A significant incentive of a $1 million cash prize awaits the winner, a reward integrated into a new media agreement with TNT.

    Briscoe, speaking about his recent victory, described a mixed sense of relief and pressure. “It’s a sense of relief, but also more pressure because now they know you can win,” he admitted.

    NASCAR anticipates that the tournament will pique interest during the mid-season. The single-elimination format will trim down the competitors from 16 drivers at Chicago, to eight at Sonoma, and further down to four at Dover, concluding with the final two at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Many drivers anticipate their engagement in the tournament will heighten post-race.

    Brad Keselowski, currently ranked 30th in the points standings, remarked on the bracket challenge gaining credibility as it matures through the later rounds. “I think it’ll become a lot more real, whether it be for the drivers or for the media or the fans,” he commented, noting his need for a win in Atlanta to secure a playoff spot in his RFK Racing Ford.

    Ricky Stenhouse expressed interest in the emerging tournament, calling it “cool” and anticipating a clearer picture of its impact following the weekend race. Still, he reiterated that the ultimate objective for Atlanta was winning and advancing into the playoffs.

    In qualifying, Team Penske, alongside other Ford drivers, showcased a strong performance, capturing four of the five top spots. Logano led the charge at 178.960 mph. Joining him were Ryan Blaney and Austin Cindric, with Ryan Preece securing the fifth position in another Ford.

    Logano emphasized the advantage of starting strong, “Being at the front and controlling the race is the thing for sure.”

    Chase Briscoe is set to confront No. 31 seed Noah Gragson in the first bracket match-up, considering it a challenging encounter due to their personal friendship and Gragson’s status as a favorite driver of Briscoe’s son. Briscoe’s 3-year-old, Brooks, views Gragson as an “uncle” figure.

    Briscoe humorously remarked, “Hopefully I’ll win. If not, I’ll never hear the end of it from Noah or my son.” Briscoe posted a picture on his social media, showing his son holding a bracket predicting victories for Briscoe’s No. 19 car throughout the tournament.

    In a separate heartfelt initiative, Chase Elliott raced with a special paint scheme created by 11-year-old cancer patient Rhealynn Mills on his No. 9 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet. Designed through Elliott’s “Design to Drive” program, the scheme aims to raise funds for Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, raising $500,000 thus far.

    Elliott acknowledged the risk associated with the car’s changed livery, noting past crashes, but praised sponsor NAPA Auto Parts for allowing the unique design.

    Further changes included the renaming of Atlanta Motor Speedway, now EchoPark Speedway—home to Elliott from Georgia. He found the updates visually striking but ultimately acceptable.

    For Saturday night’s race, Ryan Blaney emerged as the bookmakers’ favorite (+800) for a win, followed by Joey Logano and Austin Cindric at +1000.