Chase Elliott is set to compete against Austin Dillon in the opening round of NASCAR’s first-ever In-Season Challenge, a single-elimination tournament with a $1 million prize on the line. The race between Elliott and Dillon will take place this Saturday at EchoPark Speedway, with Elliott eager for the contest but holding off on any trash talk for now.
The In-Season Challenge features 32 drivers competing over five races, with seeding based on the drivers’ finishes from the previous three events. Elliott, coming off finishes of 15th at Michigan, third in Mexico City, and fifth at Pocono, earned the fifth seed, while Dillon claimed the 28th seed. Their matchup at EchoPark Speedway marks the start of this new competition designed to add extra excitement to the NASCAR season.
Elliott Anticipates Competitive Rivalry with Dillon
Although Elliott and Dillon have not engaged in any trash-talking ahead of their race, Elliott hinted that the interaction between them might become more intense once the race weekend arrives. Elliott commented on their relationship and the upcoming battle:
“No, not yet. Austin and I get along pretty good usually. I’m excited about it, though. I think it’ll be something good to talk about throughout the year and throughout the summer… and kind of give people a little something extra to watch after.” —Chase Elliott
“We haven’t started trash-talking yet, but maybe Saturday. We’ll see how it goes. But I’m looking forward to it. I think the fans will get into it as well,” he added. —Chase Elliott
The Quaker State 400 at EchoPark Speedway starts at 7:00 p.m. ET on Saturday evening. The tournament coverage will be broadcast on TNT Sports until the races move to Iowa Speedway, where NBC and USA Network will take over the telecasts.
Memorable Radio Exchange Between Elliott and Ryan Blaney at Pocono
Chase Elliott shared a lighthearted moment with fellow NASCAR driver Ryan Blaney during last week’s Xfinity Series race at Pocono Raceway. On the radio before the green flag dropped, Elliott told Blaney it was an honor to hear from him as he prepared to start the race in his #17 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet.
“Loud and clear. What an honor and a privilege to hear from you today.” —Chase Elliott
Elliott also reflected on his pole position, which he had not achieved in over two years, and talked about his car’s performance as the race unfolded.
“I haven’t had a pole in about 2.5 years, so that was really good and enjoyable. I thought we had a pretty bad HendrickCars Chevy on the race trim, I think. So, looking forward to it.” —Chase Elliott
Although Elliott led the most laps in the race, contact with Justin Allgaier on lap 88 pushed him back, and he ultimately finished fourth. The race was won by 18-year-old Connor Zilisch, who benefited from the guidance of JR Motorsports boss Dale Earnhardt Jr., acting as a substitute crew chief.
Strong Bonds Off the Track Among NASCAR Drivers
Off the track, Elliott and Blaney share a close friendship that dates back many years as they progressed through the racing circuits together. Elliott was a groomsman at Blaney’s wedding in Aspen, Colorado, in December 2024, which was attended by several notable NASCAR figures including Bubba Wallace, Dale Earnhardt Jr., and Daniel Hemric.
This camaraderie highlights the personal connections within NASCAR beyond competition, adding another layer of interest as Elliott prepares to face off against Austin Dillon in this inaugural In-Season Challenge.
As the tournament advances, the winner of this innovative event will claim a lucrative $1 million prize, elevating the stakes and anticipation among drivers and fans alike. Elliott’s matchup with Dillon is expected to set the tone for what promises to be a thrilling Speedway showdown this summer.