1. How Does the Tournament Work?
2. When Will We Know Matchups?
3. Seeding Race Schedule
4. How Does Seeding Work?
5. Who is Eligible?
6. In-Season Challenge Schedule
7. Where Can I Watch?
8. Does It Impact Points or Playoffs?
9. Who Are the Favorites?

A million bucks, bragging rights, and high-stakes racing, NASCAR's 2025 season just got a whole lot more interesting. From how it works to what’s at stake, we’ve broken down the 10 must-know facts about this bold new tournament.

1. How Does the Tournament Work?

The in-season tournament will feature 32 drivers going head-to-head over five races. It’s not a 1v1 style on track, but whoever finishes better in each matchup moves on. This elimination continues until just two drivers remain, and one of them wins $1 million.

2. When Will We Know Matchups?

Matchups will be revealed after the June 22 race at Pocono Raceway. That’s the final race in the three-race seeding stretch. The other two races setting the stage are June 8 at Michigan and June 15 in Mexico City.

3. Seeding Race Schedule

Keep your eyes on these key dates: June 8 at Michigan International Speedway, June 15 at Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez in Mexico City, and June 22 at Pocono Raceway. These three races will decide how drivers are seeded for the tournament bracket, based on their best finishes across these events.

4. How Does Seeding Work?

Seeding depends on each driver’s best finish in the three seeding races. Ties? They break them with the next-best finish, and if needed, they’ll go to overall points. It’s all about showing up at the right time.

5. Who is Eligible?

Only the top 32 drivers in points after June 1 (Nashville Superspeedway) are in the mix. But remember, those spots aren’t locked in yet; they’ll be reshuffled based on how drivers do in the three seeding races.

6. In-Season Challenge Schedule

The tournament kicks off on June 28 with 32 drivers at Atlanta, then narrows to 16 drivers on July 6 in Chicago. Eight drivers will battle it out on July 13 at Sonoma, followed by the final four racing on July 20 at Dover. It all comes down to the final showdown between two drivers on July 27 at Indianapolis. That’s your full five-week knockout bracket in a nutshell.

7. Where Can I Watch?

Prime Video streams the three seeding races. It’s one of five exclusive races they have this year. For the actual tournament, TNT Sports will air all five events, with simulcasts on MAX. Bonus: TruTV offers a special AltCast hosted by Larry McReynolds and Jeff Burton.

8. Does It Impact Points or Playoffs?

Nope, the tournament itself won’t hand out stage or playoff points. But drivers still have to play smart, one bad move could mess with their own day or someone else’s in the regular race.

9. Who Are the Favorites?

Consistent front-runners like Christopher Bell and Kyle Larson are obvious picks. But don’t sleep on names like William Byron, Bubba Wallace, or Ryan Blaney; this format rewards consistency and clean racing more than flashy moments.