NASCAR’s first-ever In-Season Challenge advances to its third race in a five-race series this Sunday at Sonoma Raceway. Originally starting with 32 drivers, the bracket now features only eight contenders, all competing for the $1 million prize. Among those still in the battle are Legacy Motor Club teammates Erik Jones and John Hunter Nemechek, paired directly against each other in this round’s matchup at the Northern California road course.
Jones and Nemechek must compete head-to-head on Sunday, with the finishing position determining who moves on to Round 4 at Dover next weekend. The driver who finishes behind the other will be eliminated from the Challenge and miss out on the opportunity to continue fighting for the grand prize.
Erik Jones Maintains Focus on Racing as Usual Amid In-Season Challenge Pressure
Despite the high stakes and the direct competition with his teammate, Erik Jones insists his preparation and race strategy have not changed for this event in California’s wine country. He claims the approach for the No. 43 team has been consistent with every other race throughout the season.
I would love to give you some big play on it. But it has been business as usual,
Jones said at Sonoma.
For me, I’m always pretty good about letting the result be what it is. I never go into a race thinking about how I want to run or how I want to finish.
I run the best race I can run and then hope the result is going to come with that.
Currently starting from 31st position, Jones faces a tough challenge as Nemechek begins the race 13 spots ahead in 18th place. Jones intends to race cleanly around his teammate if their cars happen to be near each other on track, though he acknowledges his tactics could shift if the outcome comes down to the last lap.
Obviously, is there a last lap and he’s one car in front of me and we are going into Turn 11, yeah, it might be different,
Jones added.
Jones Prefers Minimal Updates on Nemechek’s Race Position During Event
Even though Nemechek’s performance directly affects Jones’s chance to advance, Jones indicates he does not want constant updates on where Nemechek is running. When asked if he wants information during the final part of the race, Jones responded with a laugh, declining the idea of being kept informed.
Reflecting on his previous matchup against Ricky Stenhouse Jr. at the Chicago Street Race, Jones said he didn’t know Stenhouse’s position throughout the event and only learned after the finish.
I didn’t think or know where Ricky was all day,
Jones remarked.
We crossed the finish line, and it wasn’t a very good day. And the first thing Ben (Beshore, crew chief) says is, ‘Well, we beat the 47 (Stenhouse).’
I was like, ‘OK, that is cool.’
Still, his spotter, Will Rodgers, admitted in a humorous tone that if Jones ends up within striking distance of Nemechek late in the race, they might not be able to avoid providing some information.
If we are two or three (cars) back from him, coming down to it, I may say something,
Rodgers said with a laugh.
Significance of Sonoma Duel and Next Steps in the In-Season Challenge
This face-off at Sonoma represents a critical juncture in NASCAR’s In-Season Challenge, as Legacy Motor Club teammates Erik Jones and John Hunter Nemechek vie not only to advance individually but also to keep their team’s representation alive in the tournament. The intense rivalry between teammates will add an uneasy tension to Sunday’s race, given that only one can progress while the other faces elimination.
With the next round scheduled for Dover Raceway, the outcomes from Sonoma will significantly alter the trajectory for the remaining drivers. How Jones manages to navigate from the back of the field while avoiding conflict with Nemechek may prove pivotal. The pressure to perform cleanly yet aggressively in this high-stakes environment underscores the mental and strategic complexity of the newer In-Season Challenge format.
