Ty Dillon, the American racing driver, has become a surprising contender in the 2025 Ty Dillon NASCAR In-Season Challenge, a new knockout tournament designed to bring excitement to the summer racing calendar. After upsetting top-seeded Denny Hamlin at EchoPark Speedway and advancing past Brad Keselowski in Chicago, Dillon now enters the third round, shaking up the competition ahead of the Sonoma Raceway event.
The unique format of the NASCAR In-Season Challenge has drawn attention for its mix of skill and unpredictability. Critics say that the superspeedway opening race at Atlanta tipped the scales toward luck, challenging the competition’s fairness, yet the event has undeniably captivated fans. Dillon, representing Kaulig Racing, has embraced the opportunity, highlighting the platform’s role in bringing underdog stories to light.
Ty Dillon Embraces the Underdog Spotlight in the New NASCAR Format
In a conversation with motorsports reporter Claire B Lang, Dillon described how the In-Season Challenge has breathed new life into the mid-season atmosphere for smaller teams. He said,
“There’s some underdog stories here that are getting a lot of attention, and it’s made it a lot of fun for the drivers, the teams and the media and the fans. It’s given us a chance at this point in the season to show personality where, usually at this point of the season, it gets real quiet for teams like us, and even though we’re grinding hard and the stories are just as fascinating, we don’t get talked about as much.” —Ty Dillon, NASCAR Driver
The tournament launched in 2025, borrowing its single-elimination bracket system from the NBA. Drivers were seeded based on their top finishes in early-season races at Michigan, Mexico City, and Pocono. Despite finishing 24th, 33rd, and 33rd in those events, Dillon narrowly qualified for the 32-driver bracket, underscoring his underdog status.
The opening race at EchoPark Speedway turned chaotic, with a massive wreck taking out 22 cars, including Hamlin’s. Dillon skillfully avoided the crash and moved on by outlasting his competitors. In Chicago, his 20th-place finish helped him advance past Keselowski, who crashed early in the race.
With no current Cup Series winners remaining in the competition, the third round features drivers all seeking their moment in the spotlight, including Ty Gibbs, Zane Smith, Ryan Preece, Tyler Reddick, Erik Jones, John Hunter Nemechek, Alex Bowman, and Dillon himself—all vying for the $1,000,000 grand prize.
When asked about the impact of Atlanta hosting the first race, Dillon explained,
“A lot of people were questioning is that Atlanta being the first race. But Atlanta being the first race has given so many underdogs a chance to get talked about. And I think that’s a unique spin to this whole thing. If it’s the same guys that you’re going to talk about already anyways who are competing for race wins and competing to be in that top 10 in points. What’s the special interest of this in season tournament?” —Ty Dillon, NASCAR Driver
Dillon currently holds the 32nd position in the Cup Series standings with only one top-10 finish after 19 races, making his championship chase even more compelling.
Round 3 Matchups Heighten Anticipation as Dillon Prepares for Head-to-Head with Bowman at Sonoma
As the In-Season Challenge moves westward to Sonoma Raceway, the eight remaining drivers face intense Round 3 matchups. Dillon will race against Alex Bowman, a formidable opponent known for his road course skills. Other pairings include Ryan Preece versus Tyler Reddick, Ty Gibbs against Zane Smith, and Legacy Motor Club teammates John Hunter Nemechek locking horns with Erik Jones.
Bowman’s resilience was evident in his tough duel with Bubba Wallace at Chicago, and Dillon recognizes the challenge he faces on the technical 1.99-mile Sonoma track, where road course driving demands precision.
Dillon commented on the upcoming battle, saying,
“Sonoma is a place obviously Bowman is really strong. He runs really good on road courses and I’d say of all the opponents that I’ve been up against, he’s probably one of the most consistent guys in the field and even in the whole sport. So, we know he’s going to be a tough challenge. All we can do is go in there to put pressure on him.” —Ty Dillon, NASCAR Driver
Despite the uphill battle—having never finished in the top 20 on a Cup-level road course and currently sitting a daunting 152 points below the playoff cutline—Dillon’s drive to upset expectations remains unwavering.
The Broader Impact of the In-Season Challenge on NASCAR’s Competitive Landscape
Ty Dillon’s unexpected run underscores the significance of the In-Season Challenge as more than a novelty. It has become a vital opportunity for lesser-known drivers and teams to inject personality and excitement into a season often dominated by established front-runners. By spotlighting emerging talents like Dillon, the tournament cultivates fresh storylines and maintains fan engagement during the summer stretch.
As the field narrows at Sonoma Raceway, the stakes rise and the pressure mounts, with the last eight drivers all hungry to claim the million-dollar prize. Dillon’s continued presence in the tournament not only challenges prevailing power dynamics but also amplifies the voices and efforts of underdog competitors in NASCAR’s intense 2025 season.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Who is Ty Dillon’s wife?
A. Channel 4’s soap opera recently revealed that Dillon is the father of Leah Barnes’s baby boy, James. In the new episodes set a year later, Leah gave birth, and many people in the village thought Charlie Dean, who is not around, was the father.
Q. Does Ty Dillon have kids?
A. On November 20, 2017, they had a daughter named Oakley Ray Dillon. Their son, Kapton Reed Dillon, was born on October 29, 2020.
