Who Made It to NASCAR’s Million-Dollar Bracket Semifinals?

Key Highlights

• Ty Dillon advanced to the semifinals after passing Alex Bowman on the final lap

• Shane van Gisbergen won at Sonoma, leading 97 of 110 laps

• Final four: Ty Dillon, Ty Gibbs, John Hunter Nemechek, and Tyler Reddick

• Gibbs and Reddick both used fresh tires to win their third-round matchups

• Nemechek narrowly defeated teammate Erik Jones by one spot

• Dover Motor Speedway hosts the semifinals next Sunday

Ty Dillon Bumps His Way Into the Final Four

The storyline no one could have written continues to grow with Ty Dillon. Entering as the lowest seed in the field, the Kaulig Racing driver pulled off another upset Sunday by bumping past the No. 48 Chevrolet of Alex Bowman in the final turn of the final lap.

“It was a rough couple of laps there. Alex and I race really clean. I told him, ‘Man, if it wasn’t for the million dollars, I probably wouldn’t have done that,’ but I had to. It’s been an incredible run for this No. 10 Kaulig Racing Chevrolet team. We’ve worked so hard for this opportunity.”

“We’re going to give it all we’ve got at Dover; put pressure on the guys. I think you’ve seen through this that our team doesn’t quit. I saw the No. 48 there at the end, and I knew it was our opportunity to race hard and go get him. Just proud of this team’s effort.” – Ty Dillon

Dillon now has a 25% chance to win the $1 million purse in NASCAR’s first-ever midseason tournament. It’s been an unexpected stretch of grit and survival for the No. 10 car, but next weekend’s semifinal pairing with John Hunter Nemechek brings a whole new level of challenge.

Sonoma Shakes the Bracket

Shane van Gisbergen dominated the Cup field at Sonoma once again, capturing his third road-course win of the season and matching NASCAR legends like Jeff Gordon in the process. While he’s not in the In-Season Challenge tournament, his presence dramatically shaped the outcome of Sunday’s third-round bracket matchups.

Ty Gibbs advanced after a smart pit strategy gave him fresher tires for the final stint. He held off Zane Smith with a strong seventh-place finish. Gibbs now faces Tyler Reddick in the semifinals—a showdown between two of the field’s most consistent young drivers.

Reddick, like Gibbs, pitted late and charged through the field to a sixth-place finish, easily surpassing Ryan Preece. Preece recovered from contact late in the race to finish 12th, but the damage was already done. Reddick was fast, composed, and controlled his own destiny.

On the other side of the bracket, John Hunter Nemechek battled his own teammate. Erik Jones was ahead for most of the race until late contact in Turn 7 sent the No. 43 spinning in a multi-car crash. Nemechek finished 28th—just one spot ahead of Jones—and that was enough to advance.

What to Expect at Dover

The semifinals will pit Dillon against Nemechek and Gibbs against Reddick. None of the four have been clear favorites throughout the tournament, and all bring different strengths to the concrete high banks of Dover Motor Speedway.

Gibbs is on a heater, riding a wave of consistent finishes and smart pit calls. His win over Justin Haley, AJ Allmendinger, and now Zane Smith shows he can adjust to any style of racing. Dover could play into his hands again, having finished 10th there last season.

Reddick remains one of the most dangerous drivers in the field when given the right tools. His ability to manage tire wear and execute at the end of stages gives him a playoff-caliber edge. With three wins already in 2025, momentum is on his side.

Nemechek might be the wild card. He’s had a rocky road to the final four, but he’s survived three rounds and proven his resilience. Facing Dillon should be physical—and possibly emotional—considering the stakes.

And then there’s Dillon. A win at Dover would cement his Cinderella run as one of the greatest tournament stories in NASCAR history.

Who’s Trending

Ty Gibbs is trending up. Sonoma continued a summer streak of top-tier finishes, including two top fives and no result worse than 14th over the past six races. His performance under pressure and control on both street and oval tracks makes him a real threat in the semifinals.

John Hunter Nemechek also deserves attention. While not flashy, he’s quietly maneuvered through the bracket, defeating Tyler Ankrum, Daniel Suárez, and now Erik Jones. If he survives Dillon, he could become the dark horse heading into the finale.

Who’s Falling Behind

Erik Jones saw his tournament end in a tangle of bad luck and bad timing. A 29th-place finish at Sonoma marked his second straight finish outside the top 25, and now his playoff hopes look dim with just six regular-season races remaining. Jones needs a turnaround—and fast—if he wants to remain in postseason contention.

Alex Bowman’s exit at the hands of Ty Dillon may sting the most. A strong road-course showing wasn’t enough, and now the No. 48 team exits the bracket after showing real potential.

News in Brief: NASCAR In-Season Challenge Semifinalists

Ty Dillon’s run through the In-Season Challenge continued with a dramatic last-lap pass on Alex Bowman at Sonoma, putting the No. 32 seed into the semifinals. Shane van Gisbergen dominated the race, leading 97 laps for his third Cup Series win of 2025. Ty Gibbs, John Hunter Nemechek, and Tyler Reddick also advanced to the final four of the $1 million bracket. Nemechek edged out teammate Erik Jones, while Gibbs and Reddick used late pit strategy to move on. The semifinals are set for Dover Motor Speedway on July 20, with no clear favorite emerging from the final four.

ALSO READ: Breaking Down Shane van Gisbergen’s Performance on NASCAR’s Non-Road Course Tracks