Joey Logano is channeling his disappointment from missing out on the 2025 NASCAR All-Star Race prize into a determined push for the sport’s new In-Season Challenge, which offers a $1 million prize. The Team Penske driver aims to use this mid-season tournament, starting this month, as his chance at redemption.
The NASCAR In-Season Challenge is a recently introduced, single-elimination bracket that includes the top 32 drivers based on points after the June 30 race in Nashville. Drivers earn their seeding through their best finishes in three qualifying races held at Michigan (June 8), Mexico City (June 16), and Pocono (June 22). For Logano, this tournament presents a familiar high-stakes environment.
“With this in-season tournament, there’s a million bucks on the line. That’s plenty for me to go to work. I don’t need more. Like, I get it, you see how upset I was at the All-Star race. Like, it’s the same number. So I’m going to be in here,” Joey Logano said on SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.
Earlier this year, at North Wilkesboro Speedway, Logano contested fiercely for a $1 million prize alongside Christopher Bell. Despite leading the most laps in the race, 139 in total, Logano was overtaken by Bell in the final laps after a tight battle that saw Bell nudge him to secure both the victory and the prize.
The In-Season Challenge unfolds over five races and is broadcast on TNT as well as streamed on Max. The competition starts at EchoPark Speedway in Atlanta on June 29, where drivers face off in head-to-head matchups. The winners advance through subsequent rounds held in Chicago (July 6), Sonoma (July 14), and Dover (July 20). The final two competitors will race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on July 27, where the $1 million prize will be awarded.
“I’m excited about (it), I think it’s something great. It gives us something to talk about this point of the year, outside of just the teams that are trying to make the playoffs, the guys that are already in the playoffs… I think it’s a great idea, something I’m excited to see how it plays out,” Logano added.
Logano also expressed hope that the In-Season Challenge will become a recurring event in future NASCAR seasons to maintain interest during the middle of the racing calendar.
Logano Looks to Pocono Race for Better Seeding and Momentum
Joey Logano currently holds the 27th spot in the In-Season Challenge bracket after the first two seeding events. His finishes outside the top 20 at Michigan and Mexico City have placed him at risk of a tough opening matchup against Chase Elliott in the tournament’s first round. However, Logano’s position isn’t yet critical.
Thanks to his win at Texas in April, Logano is already locked into the NASCAR playoffs, which provides freedom to focus on improving his seeding for this new competition without the pressure of accumulating points. Denny Hamlin tops the seeding list, despite skipping the Mexico City race to attend the birth of his son. Chris Buescher stands second, while Christopher Bell holds the third seed, leaving one race at Pocono to finalize the lineup.
The upcoming race at Pocono Raceway on June 22 offers Logano a final chance to elevate his position. Known as The Great American Gateway 400, the event starts at 2:00 PM ET. Pocono’s unique 2.5-mile triangular layout remains a challenge for Logano, who has participated in 29 starts at the track with just one win so far.
“Pocono hasn’t been one of our strongest tracks at the moment. I feel like last year we finished fifth here, which is not too bad. But, it’s a challenging track. It’s actually shaped as a triangle. So it’s not an oval like we typically race on… It’s a two and a half mile triangle. Every corner is a lot different. So, trying (to) set up the car to be good in every corner, it’s kind of hard to do.” —Joey Logano, interviewed on ESPN’s First Take with Stephen A. Smith and Shae Cornette
With $1 million on the line and a significant mid-season spotlight, Logano is motivated to improve his performance on this demanding track and advance further in the tournament.
The Stakes and Future of the NASCAR In-Season Challenge
The NASCAR In-Season Challenge represents a new way to generate excitement during the regular season’s middle segment, giving drivers outside the playoff picture a fresh opportunity to compete for a substantial cash reward. For high-profile drivers like Joey Logano, whose competitive spirit was visibly stoked by a recent near-miss at North Wilkesboro, this tournament provides an invaluable chance to shine beyond the traditional playoff races.
As the field narrows through each elimination round, the pressure will mount, culminating in a final showdown at the iconic Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Success here could redefine momentum not only for Logano but also for several other contenders seeking to make their mark.
Looking ahead, NASCAR and its drivers alike are keen to see the In-Season Challenge develop into a recurring tradition, adding a layer of excitement and high-stakes competition throughout the racing calendar, particularly during the summer months.
