Denny Hamlin claimed the top seed for NASCAR’s inaugural In-Season Challenge by winning the points race at Michigan about a week ago. Although he missed the race in Mexico City, the driver from Tampa, Florida, remains the highest-ranked competitor in the tournament, which offers a $1 million prize.
Hamlin drives the No. 11 car for Joe Gibbs Racing and secured his top seed by winning the first of three seeding races, which include the events in Michigan, Mexico City, and Pocono. This seeding system sets the stage for a single-elimination bracket phase modeled after the NCAA Basketball Tournament.
“Hamlin is still the top seed because SVG was 33rd in points at the time of the field being set and not in the tournament,” Bob Pockrass wrote on X. “If anyone in the tournament had won the race, they would have been seeded ahead of Hamlin.” —Bob Pockrass, NASCAR Journalist
Structure and Format of the In-Season Challenge Bracket
Following the three seeding events, the tournament shifts into a knockout bracket format spread across five races, beginning at Atlanta Motor Speedway on June 28. Each race features direct head-to-head competitions where the better-finishing driver advances and the other is eliminated.
“In the opening race of the five-race tournament, which will be contested at EchoPark Speedway (formerly Atlanta Motor Speedway), the No. 1-seeded driver will face off head-to-head against the No. 32-seeded driver, while the No. 2-seeded driver will face off against the No. 31-seeded driver, etc.” —Sports Illustrated
The tournament culminates in a final showdown at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on July 27, where the two remaining drivers compete for the million-dollar prize. Hamlin, as the top seed, is widely regarded as one of the early favorites to claim the championship given his strong start and experience.
Ryan Truex Jr. Steps In for Hamlin at Mexico City with Brother’s Guidance
While Denny Hamlin missed the recent race at Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez in Mexico City, reserve driver Ryan Truex Jr., younger brother of retired Cup Series driver Martin Truex Jr., took his place. Ryan, who races under Joe Gibbs Racing, sought advice from his brother as he prepared for the event.
“I texted him this week when I found out. And he said, ‘The Truexes are one-for-one at Mexico. So, no pressure. I’m glad he could throw that at me. But yeah, he’s been good for advice.” —Ryan Truex Jr., NASCAR Driver
“What you guys see here and what you guys see on TV, that’s him. That’s how he is. Short [and] to the point. If I ask him stuff, he’ll tell me, but I don’t know how much it’ll translate from 2005,” he added. —Ryan Truex Jr., NASCAR Driver
Ryan Truex finished 23rd in the Mexico City race. Denny Hamlin is set to return for the upcoming race at Pocono Raceway on June 22, known as The Great American Getaway 400. The event will be broadcast on Prime Video starting at 2 pm ET, with live coverage from MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.
Importance of Hamlin’s Position and What Lies Ahead
Denny Hamlin’s status as the top seed in the NASCAR In-Season Challenge positions him favorably as the tournament progresses into the elimination rounds. His early success in the seeding races highlights his consistency and skill, setting a competitive tone for other drivers aiming to advance in the head-to-head matchups.
The single-elimination format intensifies the competition, increasing the stakes with each race leading to the final at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. With $1 million on the line, the event promises to be a significant highlight of the NASCAR season, combining strategic racing with direct driver confrontations that emphasize finishing position over points accumulation.
