Two drivers named Ty are heading for a dramatic face-off in the NASCAR Cup Series. One raced near the front all day. The other barely made it through. Their battle wasn’t expected, but now it’s real. A lucky break at Dover Motor Speedway helped shape this final showdown. One driver is chasing points. The other is chasing a dream. With only one race left, everything they’ve done so far comes down to this. The path to the finish is full of questions.
Key Highlights
Ty Dillon advances to the In-Season Challenge final despite finishing 20th at Dover.
Ty Gibbs defeats Tyler Reddick after late-race moves and strong form since June.
Fan reactions highlight the surprising nature of the matchup and support for Dillon.
The final will be decided at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, with $1 million on the line.
Dillon and Gibbs now set for a clash that no one saw coming.
A Cinderella Story Meets a Rising Star
Ty Dillon’s improbable run through NASCAR’s In-Season Challenge has fans buzzing — and with good reason. The 32nd seed entering the tournament, Dillon took advantage of a late free pass at Dover Motor Speedway to leap past John Hunter Nemechek and earn a spot in the championship round. He finished 20th, just enough to edge Nemechek in what many fans described as the ultimate underdog story.
Meanwhile, Ty Gibbs, the No. 6 seed, continued his steady climb toward playoff form. He outdueled Tyler Reddick at Dover with a fifth-place finish, capping off weeks of consistent top-10 performances and advancing to face Dillon in what is arguably the most unexpected final possible. From the start of the seeding races at Michigan, Gibbs has quietly built momentum and now finds himself in contention for a $1 million payout.
The contrasting journeys of the two Tys — one clawing his way forward against the odds, the other finding form at the right time — have made for compelling fan debates.
Ty Dillon's onboard as he and Kaulig Racing advance to the final round of the In-Season Challenge.
"We never, ever, EVER give up!"
"Don't know how to!" pic.twitter.com/Ve1VcMI8xu— Steven Taranto (@STaranto92) July 21, 2025
Fans Rally Behind Dillon
The fan response was swift and passionate once the semifinal field was set.
“The entire NASCAR fan base is behind Dillon,” one fan declared — a sentiment echoed across multiple forums. Dillon’s ability to reach the final, especially after knocking out Denny Hamlin in the first round at EchoPark Speedway, has turned him into the people’s choice.
“I can’t wait for Ty Dillon actually just beats him on pace lol,” wrote one hopeful supporter. Another added,
“Had this been the first half of the season I’d actually say Dillon would have a great shot. Gibbs had an abysmal start to the year.”
But even many of Dillon’s backers acknowledged the long odds ahead.
“I think realistically speaking if Ty Gibbs gets a mechanical issue or wrecks is how Ty Dillon wins. Gibbs has been running top five, top ten consistently for the past several weeks. Chris Gabehart has done wonders for him.”
The memes, of course, weren’t far behind. “Ty knows he can’t let Ty finish the race or Ty could lose to Ty,” joked one commenter, poking fun at the mirror-match nature of the final.
Gibbs Finds Form at the Right Time
While Dillon may be the fan favorite, Gibbs is arguably the most improved driver in the In-Season Challenge field. Since the calendar turned to June, he’s jumped from 27th to 16th in the overall Cup standings, all while not finishing worse than 14th during the seeding and elimination rounds.
At Dover, Gibbs showed race-winning speed and composure. He beat Reddick off pit road after a late red flag and used two overtime restarts to secure a top-five finish. For a driver still chasing his first Cup Series win, this challenge has been a turning point.
With Chris Gabehart assisting the No. 54 team’s effort alongside crew chief Tyler Allen, Gibbs now heads to Indianapolis with the momentum — and perhaps the pressure — as the heavy favorite.
Still, some fans are cautious. “Pretty high [chance of a loss] if the 54 doesn’t finish 😏,” one person wrote, suggesting mechanical failure or misfortune could still open the door for Dillon.
From Underdogs to Unpredictable
The paths taken to reach this point couldn’t be more different. Ty Dillon’s run has been defined by survival, last-minute opportunities, and clutch timing — from knocking out Hamlin early to sneaking past Nemechek at Dover. Gibbs, meanwhile, has followed a steadier, more traditional road of improvement and consistency, making him one of the hottest drivers in the garage.
And yet, it all comes down to one race at the Brickyard.
Both drivers are just 160 laps away from a $1 million prize, and the fan interest in this matchup proves that sometimes the most unlikely finals are the most entertaining. Whether it’s a Cinderella story or a young star rising, the Ty vs. Ty duel has brought fresh energy to the In-Season Challenge concept.
News in Brief: NASCAR Fans React to Unexpected Final at Indianapolis Motor Speedway
Ty Dillon and Ty Gibbs are set to face off in the final round of NASCAR’s 2025 In-Season Challenge at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Dillon, the lowest remaining seed, advanced after edging John Hunter Nemechek at Dover, while Gibbs defeated Tyler Reddick with a top-five finish. Fans have overwhelmingly rallied behind Dillon as the underdog, though Gibbs enters the finale with strong recent form and growing playoff momentum. The contrast between Dillon’s improbable survival and Gibbs’ consistent rise has captured fan attention. With $1 million at stake, the Ty vs. Ty showdown promises a surprising and dramatic conclusion to the tournament.
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