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For the first time in the history of the sport, NASCAR Cup Series drivers are set to compete in a high-stakes in-season elimination tournament with the winner receiving a $1 million bonus. But despite support from fans for the concept, drivers aren’t exactly sold.
John Newby of AltDriver.com spoke to several Cup Series stars who not only expressed their disinterest in the tournament but also their confusion. One driver explained that he didn’t even understand how sports brackets work.
“I don’t understand how brackets work.”
“I don’t know how it works.”
“I don’t really know anything about it.”
The #NASCAR in-season tournament will create drama with an extra $1 million on the line, but drivers are downplaying it as seeding approaches.https://t.co/7b5afe962O— John Newby (@JohnNewby_) May 29, 2025
NASCAR Drivers Speak Out Against In-Season Tournament Meant For Fans To Enjoy
Three qualifying races, beginning June 8 at Michigan International Speedway, will decide the 32-driver field. Race winners at Michigan, Mexico City and Pocono will automatically qualify for the bracket. The other 29 spots will be filled and seeded by the drivers with the next best finish in any of the three races. Tiebreakers are determined by next-best finish, followed by season points position.
In the five-round knockout stage, beginning at Atlanta Motor Speedway on June 28 and culminating at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on July 27, drivers will go head-to-head in a knockout tournament with the field reducing from 32 to 16, eight, then four before eventually crowning a champion.
Ultimately, all the tournament does is add an extra layer of intrigue for fans in the heart of the season. But drivers aren’t feeling it.
“It’s not something I’m aware of. I don’t even know how it goes,’ Chris Buescher of Roush Fenway Keselowski Racing said. “I’m admittedly not a huge sports fan in general. I’m kind of extremely casual in what I watch anyway, and I don’t even understand how brackets typically work.”
Even Joe Gibbs Racing driver Denny Hamlin, who first came up with the idea via his bracket challenge, was luke warm about particpating
“I certainly will be aware when it’s happening, but I’m not going to change anything on the track for the seeding part of it,” Hamlin said. “The only thing that changes is kind of the head-to-head when it actually comes to fruition.”
But Hamlin is excited about how the tournaent changes the viewing experience for fans.
“The tracks don’t line up. I mean, there’s a bunch of road courses and stuff in there, so my chances are going to be limited to do it. You’re going to have to rely on some other people messing up. But, yeah, I think it’s going to be great for the sport. Certainly, storylines to talk about, and suddenly a battle for 15th will matter.”
Fans on social media quickly called out drivers over their lack of excitement and understanding.
“Whats there to be confused about?” on asked. “It’s a bracket, one driver faces against one other driver, winner moves on.”
“I, for one, think it is cool. Love the idea of an alt cast dedicated to it. Although it will probably flop because the drivers aren’t engaging with it,” wrote another.
Ultimately, it costs NASCAR and TNT very little to put the tournament on. So it’s an easy choice to push forward with it. But you’d like to see drivers show just a little bit of enthusiasm.