With only one NASCAR Cup Series race remaining before the field for the first-ever in-season tournament is finalized, anticipation is growing across the paddock. Following Sunday night’s Cracker Barrel 400 at Nashville Superspeedway, the lineup of 32 drivers for the NASCAR In-Season Challenge will be confirmed, sparking intense competition among contenders.
Drivers such as Brad Keselowski, Shane van Gisbergen, Riley Herbst, and Cole Custer are all battling for a coveted spot in the $1 million bracket-style tournament. Riley Herbst currently sits just outside the cut at No. 34 after Keselowski’s fifth-place finish in Charlotte last Sunday, while van Gisbergen, ranked 33rd, trails Keselowski by 19 points ahead of the Nashville race. Cole Custer follows closely behind Herbst by five points, making the final Cup event before the cutoff crucial for these drivers.
At the forefront of both qualification and championship predictions stands Kyle Larson, who leads the Cup points and is widely expected to qualify comfortably for the tournament. The 2021 NASCAR Cup Series champion is also the favorite to win the 2025 championship, with FanDuel Sportsbook listing him at +280 odds.
How the In-Season Challenge Will Play Out
The tournament seeding will be finalized through results from three upcoming races at Michigan, Mexico City, and Pocono. Once the 32-driver field is set, the competition will proceed in a knockout format, with drivers facing off head-to-head. This series of matchups culminates in the final race during The Brickyard 400 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on July 27, where the tournament winner will be crowned.
Rising Contender Ross Chastain’s Impact on the Series
Ross Chastain is emerging as a stronger presence in the Cup Series, no longer drawing the criticism he faced in previous seasons. After an impressive weekend at Charlotte Motor Speedway, where he secured a Cup victory and finished second in the Truck Series race, many are wondering if Chastain is now a legitimate title contender.
Question of the week: Is Chastain developing into a Cup contender?
Current Championship Odds for the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series
According to FanDuel Sportsbook, here are the latest odds for drivers competing in the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series championship (at the time of publication):
