The second of three seeding races for NASCAR’s inaugural In-Season Challenge wrapped up in dramatic fashion in Mexico City. While Shane van Gisbergen stunned the field with his first Cup win of 2025, his victory had no bearing on the Challenge field. With only one race left before the 32-driver bracket locks in, contenders and spoilers alike made big statements. The race at Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez marked the latest turning point in this unique midseason competition that offers a $1 million prize and a chance for drivers to add a major accolade to their season.
As it stands, Denny Hamlin remains the top-seeded driver—even after missing the Mexico race—to the surprise of many. The field continues to shift as drivers jockey for position ahead of the final seeding race at Pocono Raceway, where the bracket will be finalized for the Challenge opener on June 28 at EchoPark Speedway.
Denny Hamlin Holds Top Spot Despite Absence; Bell, Buescher in Hot Pursuit
Denny Hamlin didn’t turn a lap in Mexico but still came out ahead. Thanks to his win at Michigan and SVG’s ineligibility for the Challenge, Hamlin retains the No. 1 seed. His absence was due to a personal reason—staying home for the birth of his child—but the timing couldn’t have been better from a competition standpoint. His chief rivals failed to capitalize on the opportunity, and his first-round opponent would currently be Carson Hocevar, a matchup that could be electric considering Hamlin’s recent praise of the rookie.
Chris Buescher remains steady in the No. 2 seed, buoyed by a second-place finish at Michigan and an 11th-place result in Mexico. He holds the tiebreaker over Christopher Bell, whose second-place run in Mexico kept him high in the order but not quite high enough. Bell would draw Ty Dillon in the first round, while Buescher’s bracket mate would be Noah Gragson if the seeding locked today. Ty Gibbs, the fourth seed, continues to impress in a breakout season and would square off with Todd Gilliland.
Mexico City marked the second of three seeding races for the 2025 In-Season Tournament.
Here are the updated seeding positions following Mexico City, with one race remaining: pic.twitter.com/urQ0xsSbQn
— NASCAR Insights (@NASCARInsights) June 16, 2025
The format of the seeding process—taking a driver’s best finish across the three designated races and using subsequent results for tiebreakers—has made every spot matter. With only Pocono left, even mid-pack finishes can have major implications for first-round matchups.
Movers and Shakers: Bowman Surges, Busch Tumbles
Mexico City proved to be a battlefield for position in the In-Season Challenge bracket, with several notable swings. Alex Bowman, who sat in the 36th seed after a rough crash at Michigan, rocketed up to the 7th seed following an impressive fourth-place finish on the road course. His path now looks significantly less daunting, and with Chicago’s street course looming in the Challenge schedule, Bowman’s road-course ability could be a major factor in a potential deep run.
On the flip side, Kyle Busch suffered a brutal fall. After showing promise at Michigan and running strong at COTA earlier in the year, Busch spun early in Mexico and collected several cars in a multi-car incident. He finished last and fell to the 14th seed. That would pair him with Josh Berry in the opening round, a driver gaining confidence with each race. It’s a significant blow for Busch, who was eyeing a top-eight spot just a week ago.
Among other notable matchups based on the current seeds:
Chase Elliott (5) vs. Justin Haley (28)
Kyle Larson (9) vs. Brad Keselowski (17)
Ryan Blaney (23) vs. Michael McDowell (8)
Ross Chastain (10) vs. AJ Allmendinger (20)
SVG’s win, while not impactful on the Challenge field directly, did play spoiler to other drivers hoping to snag a win and jump up the bracket. His presence in Mexico prevented Bell or Buescher from potentially notching a win, thereby keeping the seeding order in flux.
Final Seeding Race at Pocono Will Set the Field
With just one race left to determine Challenge seeding, Pocono Raceway becomes the last battleground before the bracket locks. For drivers on the bubble like Carson Hocevar and Noah Gragson, it’s a chance to escape the path of giants like Hamlin and Buescher. For mid-tier seeds such as Michael McDowell, John Hunter Nemechek, and Chase Briscoe, a strong result could be the difference between facing a rookie or a title contender.
Even top seeds aren’t safe. With only one win separating Hamlin from the pack, a Bell or Buescher victory at Pocono could flip the entire board. And with tiebreakers based on next-best and third-best finishes, every stage point, every pit stop, and every position could shift the landscape of the Challenge.
News In Brief: NASCAR In-Season Challenge Changes
With two of three seeding races complete, NASCAR’s In-Season Challenge is shaping into one of the most compelling midseason formats in recent memory. Denny Hamlin’s Michigan win continues to pay dividends, while Chris Buescher and Christopher Bell sit ready to pounce. Meanwhile, drivers like Alex Bowman have made bold statements, and others like Kyle Busch now find themselves in tougher paths forward. The final seeding race at Pocono will cement the 32-driver bracket and determine who’s truly ready to chase the $1 million prize.
