NASCAR's groundbreaking in-season tournament will take place in 2025.
Seeding for the tournament will be determined by the results of the final three races broadcast on Prime Video.
The top 32 drivers based on seeding events will compete head-to-head in a bracket-style event.
The winner of the tournament will receive a $1 million prize.
Tiebreakers for seeding will be established by next best finish and season points position.
In a groundbreaking announcement, NASCAR has revealed plans for an in-season tournament set to take place in 2025. The tournament, which will be broadcast across TNT Sports' five-race schedule, will see the top 32 drivers based on seeding events compete head-to-head in a bracket-style event. Seeding for the tournament will be determined by the results of the final three races that are set to be broadcast on Prime Video, with tiebreakers established by next best finish and season points position. The winner of this prestigious tournament will receive a $1 million prize.
This innovative concept was pitched by driver Denny Hamlin a year ago on his podcast, based on the NBA's in-season tournament format. Hamlin even went so far as to bracket drivers and hold a hypothetical tournament over the summer to demonstrate how it could work. The green flag for this highly anticipated tournament will drop during the first event in TNT Sports' section of the NASCAR Cup Series season, with drivers competing against each other in a head-to-head format, with the higher finishing driver advancing through five rounds. The winner of this tournament will receive a $1 million prize.
NASCAR fans can look forward to an exciting new addition to the 2025 Cup Series schedule, as well as increased fan engagement across media platforms such as TNT, Bleacher Report, House of Highlights, and NASCAR digital platforms. With head-to-head driver matchups for each one of TNT's NASCAR Cup Series races, fans can expect a heightened sense of competition throughout the season. This new in-season tournament is poised to bring a fresh dynamic to NASCAR's summer race weekends, providing fans with even more excitement and engagement opportunities. The winner of this tournament will be awarded a $1 million prize, making it an event not to be missed for both drivers and fans alike.
This groundbreaking move by NASCAR further solidifies its commitment to innovation and fan engagement, setting the stage for an exciting future in motorsports entertainment.
NASCAR will add a new in-season tournament to its 2025 Cup Series schedule on TNT Sports.
The top 32 drivers from the three seeding races on Prime Video will qualify for the in-season tournament.
Seeding for the tournament will be based on best finish in the three Prime Video races, with tiebreakers determined by next-best finish and season points position.
Drivers will compete head-to-head in five rounds, with the higher finishing driver advancing.
The winner of the in-season tournament will receive a $1 million prize.
NASCAR will hold an in-season tournament for the NASCAR Cup Series in 2025
The seeding for the bracket-style head-to-head event will be set by results from the final three races of Prime Video’s coverage
Top 32 drivers based on seeding events will become eligible for the in-season tournament competition
Bracket seeding will be established by best finish in each race over the three races with tiebreakers determined by next-best finish and season points position
The tournament kicks off with the first event in TNT Sports portion of NASCAR Cup Series season
Drivers will compete head-to-head with higher finishing driver advancing over five rounds
Winner of the tournament will receive a $1 million prize