NASCAR's intense in-season challenge returns for 2026

Get your brackets ready, because the NASCAR In-Season Challenge is officially back for 2026. This 32-driver, single-elimination tournament is as simple as it is brutal: you finish higher than your opponent, you move on. The stakes are massive, with a $1 million prize on the line for the driver who survives the five-race gauntlet.

Everything kicks off June 28 at Sonoma Raceway, followed by stops at Chicagoland Speedway, EchoPark Speedway, North Wilkesboro Speedway, and the finale at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Unlike the inaugural 2025 event, which featured specific seeding races, this year the field is set based on the Cup Series points standings after the race at Pocono Raceway on June 14.

Fans can get in on the action by registering for the In-Season Bracket Challenge starting June 8. If you manage to predict every single matchup correctly, you are looking at a $1 million grand prize. With TNT Sports broadcasting all five races, it is going to be an intense month of competition to see who can take the title currently held by Ty Gibbs.