Denny Hamlin reacts to NASCAR In-Season Challenge format after being confirmed as one of the 32 drivers set to participate, following the conclusion of the Cup Series race at Nashville. The competition will see these top-ranked drivers face off over five races for a grand prize of $1 million, but Hamlin, sitting fourth in points, has expressed reservations about the chosen tracks.
Speaking about the schedule during the Nashville race weekend, Hamlin shared his mixed feelings.
“I was really excited until I saw the tracks on it. You got a superspeedway, you got road courses in there. To be truthful, we are going to have to get pretty lucky. Or have such a good draw that things just work out. I wish it held more conventional ovals but it’s just the way the schedule works out.”
—Denny Hamlin, Driver
Hamlin explained that the collection of circuits lined up for the challenge—Atlanta Motor Speedway, Chicago Street Course, Sonoma Raceway, Dover Motor Speedway, and Indianapolis Motor Speedway—do not favor his typical strengths. He noted that these races fall outside his optimal part of the season, and sees luck as a key factor for success.
How the In-Season Challenge Will Work
The path to victory in this special competition is determined through bracketed head-to-head matchups, seeded based on the drivers’ performance in three earlier Cup events: Michigan International Speedway, Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez in Mexico, and Pocono Raceway. Each driver faces a direct competitor, and the one who finishes higher advances to the next round, a process that continues until just two drivers meet in the final at the Brickyard, Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
This single-elimination format introduces new dynamics and places additional emphasis on consistency and adaptability, spanning different circuits, including superspeedways, road courses, and traditional ovals. The challenge’s design intentionally diversifies the field’s skills and introduces unpredictability, making it a notable addition to the NASCAR schedule.
Brad Keselowski’s Perspective on the Format
Brad Keselowski, co-owner of RFK Racing and the last man to qualify for the challenge, shared his thoughts during the same Nashville weekend after barely making the cut as the 32nd driver on the points table. Keselowski admitted his primary focus remains on regular race weekends, but also recognizes the potential positives for the circle as a whole.
“It will be fun to talk about when it gets going. It’s good for the sport, good for our fans. It’s a competition and if it is a competition, we want to win it. With that said, our heads are down and focused on one week at a time, really one day at a time, and that is Nashville and it is hard to look further ahead than that.”
—Brad Keselowski, RFK Racing Co-owner
Kleenow has only secured one victory since 2022, and his performance in 2025 thus far includes just a single top-10 finish. While he maintains a competitive spirit, winning the In-Season Challenge appears to be a difficult target under current circumstances.
What Lies Ahead for Drivers and Fans
The introduction of the In-Season Challenge marks a fresh direction for NASCAR, with varied tracks and a unique elimination format promising to test every driver‘s versatility. Established competitors like Denny Hamlin acknowledge the role of fortune in this competition, especially given the inclusion of both superspeedways and road courses unfamiliar to some. As the sport seeks to engage fans and boost midseason excitement, attention will be on how drivers like Hamlin and Keselowski adapt to these evolving demands on the way to the Brickyard.
