The NASCAR Cup Series In-Season Challenge has reached its decisive stages, as the Round of 8 takes place this weekend at Sonoma Raceway. With major upsets shaking up the original field, fans and teams are preparing for a dramatic set of matchups that could redefine expectations for this inaugural event.
Surprising Turn of Events Leaves Favorites Behind
As the competition intensifies, only two drivers from the initial top ten seeds remain in the bracket, with Ty Gibbs standing out as the most prominent among the survivors. Gibbs will go head-to-head with Zane Smith, marking the only contest in this round that pits two top-seeded drivers against each other. This unique dynamic reflects the unpredictable nature of the NASCAR Cup Series In-Season Challenge and underscores just how volatile the tournament has become.
Shane van Gisbergen is favored by many to claim victory in Sunday’s race outright but remains outside the bracket due to the tournament‘s strict qualification rules. The 32nd seed, Ty Dillon, has managed to secure a spot among the final contenders, bringing an underdog narrative that adds further intrigue to the weekend’s battles at Sonoma.
Path to the Round of 8: Drivers Rise and Fall
Mirroring the framework of other major sports tournaments, the In-Season Challenge utilizes a single-elimination bracket with 32 slots, leading to the exclusion of the lowest-ranked four full-time drivers on points as of the seeding races’ beginning on June 8 at Michigan. At that critical juncture, van Gisbergen found himself in 33rd position—a missed opportunity that, with a few more points or strategic wins, could have altered the tournament’s landscape. His dominance in Mexico City and Chicago was unable to compensate for failing to crack the top 32 when it counted most.
The excitement now lies with four key matchups. Ty Dillon (seeded 32) faces Alex Bowman (8) after both Denny Hamlin and Brad Keselowski were eliminated due to incidents rather than on-track finishes. Meanwhile, John Hunter Nemechek (12) goes up against Erik Jones (20), with the Legacy Motor Club’s internal rivalry highlighted through their lively social media exchanges this week.
In the opposite section of the bracket, Tyler Reddick (23) continues to display strong form this season, looking playoff-bound on points, as he prepares to race Ryan Preece (15), who trails the cut line for postseason entry by a mere two points. The final pairing sees the top remaining seed, Ty Gibbs (6), challenging Zane Smith (14), both of whom have demonstrated notable improvements since the bracket began. Notably, Gibbs’ runner-up result in Chicago cements his favoritism in this match. Sportsbooks are currently offering favorable odds for Gibbs, Reddick, and Bowman, though the unpredictable nature of the previous rounds means many fans expect more upsets before a winner is crowned.
Sonoma Event Schedule: Key Dates and Times
Sunday, July 13, 2025, serves as the main event date, with the race set to begin at 3:30 pm Eastern Time, spanning 110 laps around Sonoma Raceway. For supporters in other cities, the schedule is as follows:
Saturday, July 12
– Practice: 1:30 PM (ET), 12:30 PM (CT), 11:30 AM (MT), 10:30 AM (PT)
– Qualifying: 2:40 PM (ET), 1:40 PM (CT), 12:40 PM (MT), 11:40 AM (PT)
Sunday, July 13
– Race: 3:30 PM (ET), 2:30 PM (CT), 1:30 PM (MT), 12:30 PM (PT)
How to Watch and Listen: Broadcasters Across Locations
NASCAR Cup Series fans in the United States will find all the action live on TNT Sports, with Saturday programming broadcast on truTV. Fans can also tune into SiriusXM and PRN to follow practice, qualifying, and the race via radio. For those wanting an alternative viewing experience, in-car camera footage during Sunday’s main event will be streamed on MAX.
International fans have different broadcast options depending on their region. Notable broadcast partners for this event include:
– United Kingdom: Viaplay Group
– Australia: Fox Sports Australia
– Spain: DAZN
– France: Mediawan (AB Moteurs/Automono)
– Germany: More Than Sports, Sport1
– Belgium: Ziggo Sport
– Brazil: Bandriantes
– Canada: TSN, RDS
– MENA: Abu Dhabi Media
– Netherlands: Ziggo Sport (Liberty Global)
– Italy & Singapore: Mola TV
– Portugal: Sport TV
– Japan: Gaora
– China: Huya, Bilibili
– Hong Kong: PCCW
– Hungary: Network4
– Turkey: Saran Media International
What Lies Ahead for the NASCAR Cup Series In-Season Challenge
The shakeup within the bracket highlights the unpredictable energy that has characterized the first edition of the NASCAR Cup Series In-Season Challenge. With underdogs like Ty Dillon breaking through and proven names such as Ty Gibbs and Alex Bowman fighting to assert their dominance, the competition at Sonoma holds substantial weight for the season’s narrative. Michael Jordan’s team, 23XI, remains a talking point as legal developments and organizational decisions grab headlines, while fans debate who will seize the historic $1 million prize and the prestige that accompanies capturing this unique tournament.
As attention turns to Sonoma, the possibility of further surprises remains high, and all eyes will be on the remaining drivers as they try to navigate the pressures of the Round of 8. The coming weekend promises drama and excitement as the NASCAR world watches to see which competitors will rise and who will fall, shaping the future of this groundbreaking in-season challenge.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Who is the most popular driver in the Cup Series?
A. The series consists of eight episodes, each lasting 30 minutes. It was revealed on January 17, 2025, that the show was canceled after just one season.
