Denny Hamlin secured the top seed for NASCAR’s new In-Season Challenge by winning the points race at Michigan last week. Although he did not participate in the recent Mexico City race, the driver from Tampa, Florida, remains the highest seed in the tournament, which has captured significant attention this year.
How Hamlin Maintains the Top Seed Position Despite Missing a Race
According to journalist Bob Pockrass, the seeding for the In-Season Challenge was determined through three events: Michigan, Mexico, and Pocono. Hamlin, who drives the No. 11 car for Joe Gibbs Racing, won the Michigan race, securing his spot in the single-elimination bracket. This bracket format is similar to NCAA Basketball’s tournament style.
“Hamlin is still the top seed because SVG was 33rd in points at the time of the field being set and not in the tournament,” Pockrass wrote on X. “If anyone in the tournament had won the race, they would have been seeded ahead of Hamlin.” —Bob Pockrass, NASCAR Journalist
Since none of the other tournament drivers won the Mexico race, Hamlin’s seed remained unchallenged despite his absence. The bracket phase includes five more races, beginning at Atlanta Motor Speedway on June 28, where drivers will race head-to-head. Each matchup eliminates the slower finisher, narrowing the competition round by round.
Tournament Structure and Upcoming Matchups
Sports Illustrated detailed the tournament’s structure, noting the initial pairing of seeds follows a strict pattern. The No. 1 seed competes against the No. 32 seed, while the No. 2 seed races the No. 31 seed, and so forth through the competitors. This format heightens tension as each race directly impacts advancement.
“In the opening race of the five-race tournament, which will be contested at EchoPark Speedway (formerly Atlanta Motor Speedway), the No. 1-seeded driver will face off head-to-head against the No. 32-seeded driver, while the No. 2-seeded driver will face off against the No. 31-seeded driver, etc.” —Sports Illustrated
This series will culminate with the final competition at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on July 27, where the last two drivers remaining will battle for a $1 million prize. Hamlin’s strong seed and prior performance make him a clear contender to claim this substantial reward.
Ryan Truex Jr. Steps in for Hamlin at Mexico and Receives Guidance
At the Mexico City race held at Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez, Ryan Truex Jr. took over for Denny Hamlin. Truex, a reserve driver for Joe Gibbs Racing and the younger brother of retired champion Martin Truex Jr., relied on advice from his brother to prepare for the challenge.
“I texted him this week when I found out. And he said, ‘The Truexes are one-for-one at Mexico. So, no pressure. I’m glad he could throw that at me. But yeah, he’s been good for advice.” —Ryan Truex Jr., Substitute Driver
“What you guys see here and what you guys see on TV, that’s him. That’s how he is. Short [and] to the point. If I ask him stuff, he’ll tell me, but I don’t know how much it’ll translate from 2005,” he added. —Ryan Truex Jr., Substitute Driver
Truex finished 23rd at the Mexico race, while Hamlin is set to return for the next race at Pocono Raceway. The Great American Getaway 400, scheduled for June 22, will be broadcast live on Prime Video from 2 pm ET and will have radio coverage via MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.
The Stakes and What to Expect Moving Forward
This in-season tournament adds a new layer of intensity to the NASCAR calendar, pitting top drivers directly against each other in elimination-format races. Hamlin’s early top seed places him in a strong position to advance, and his performance at upcoming events will be scrutinized by fans and competitors alike.
With the $1 million prize looming at the Indianapolis finale, drivers face both pressure and opportunity as the challenge unfolds. Hamlin’s ability to maintain his top seed despite missing a critical race highlights both his prior dominance and the unique structure of the competition.