NASCAR In-Season Challenge: Key Matchups for Drivers Facing Elimination

The NASCAR In-Season Challenge got underway this past Sunday at Sonoma Raceway. The 32-driver bracket quickly thinned itself out, and now, leading into Week 2 of the five-week challenge, the contest will take to Chicagoland Speedway. In the first week of the challenge, only a few upsets occurred, unlike in 2025. A year ago, Ty Dillon was a Cinderella story that made it to the final Round, losing to Ty Gibbs. The seeds in the semifinals were: No. 6, 12, 23, and 32. In 2026, only three drivers see