The NASCAR in season bracket challenge allowed fans of NASCAR to submit their own bracket predictions for a live elimination tournament that was happening on TNT Sports. There were prizes, it was extremely simple to play, even lightweight fans who didn’t know NASCAR that well could join in. Obviously, because of the odds of getting a bracket correct, it kind of meant that everyone was in with a chance. It doesn’t matter how much knowledge you have, because even the most knowledgeable people cannot predict a bracket accurately. It helped surface some information that fans may not have been aware of, certain races and their cars, times and dates of races. So although it was seen as a lightweight fun game that fans wanted to win, what it was actually doing was educating them without feeling like they were being educated and it was collecting a whole bunch of fan data and it was giving the fans a reason to return because a bracket doesn’t happen all in one go, it comes in chunks. So there were five races which meant there were five occasions for people to return and see how their bracket was doing.

What is the In-Season Challenge?
A 32-driver, single-elimination tournament that takes place over five races on TNT Sports. The driver with the best finish in each matchup advances to the next round.

When does it start?
The first In-Season Challenge race is June 28 at Atlanta’s EchoPark Speedway — but there are three seeding races prior that set the bracket itself.

Who qualifies?
The top 32 drivers in points following the NASCAR Cup Series race at Nashville make up the In-Season Challenge field.

How is the bracket seeded?
There are three seeding races — Michigan (June 8), Mexico City (June 15) and Pocono (June 22). Drivers are seeded by their best finish in those three races.

How are ties in seeding broken?
The first tiebreaker is the next-best finish in the three seeding races. If two drivers were to finish with the exact same finishing positions over the three seeding races, the next tiebreaker is points standings following the Pocono race.

What tracks are in the In-Season Challenge?
EchoPark Speedway at Atlanta (32 drivers), Chicago (16), Sonoma (8), Dover (4) and Indianapolis (2).

How do drivers advance?
Simple. The driver in each head-to-head matchup that finishes higher than the other “wins” that matchup and advances to the next round.

What does the winner get?
A cool $1 million — the ultimate bragging rights.