The NASCAR In-Season Challenge delivered another round of upsets and drama, with only eight drivers remaining after Sunday’s chaotic Grant Park 165 in Chicago. The tournament that started with 32 hopefuls has been whittled down to an Elite Eight, with underdogs continuing to dominate while several championship favorites have been sent packing.
Shane van Gisbergen claimed victory on the streets of Chicago, but the real story was happening throughout the field as drivers battled not just for position but for their tournament lives. With a $1 million prize on the line, every position mattered, and the results have set up what promises to be an incredible quarterfinal showdown at Sonoma Raceway.
How Did Ty Dillon Become NASCAR’s Biggest Cinderella Story?
“I knew in a basketball city, going up against Brad in a game of knockout, I was going to have a good chance,” Ty Dillon quipped after surviving another elimination round.
The No. 32 seed has become the tournament’s most compelling storyline, knocking out both top-seeded Denny Hamlin and 17th-seeded Brad Keselowski in consecutive rounds. Dillon’s latest victory came through sheer survival instinct, as a massive Lap 3 accident triggered by Carson Hocevar collected multiple contenders, including his opponent, Keselowski.
The crash created chaos that instantly eliminated several drivers, but Dillon managed to salvage a 20th-place finish despite suffering a late flat tire. Meanwhile, Keselowski was credited with 37th place, ending his tournament run devastatingly. This marked the second major upset for Dillon, who entered the tournament as the lowest seed and has now outlasted drivers with significantly better regular season records.
Six of the eight advancing drivers carry double-digit seeds, proving anything can happen in this single-elimination format. The Elite Eight heading to Sonoma includes Ty Dillon (32), Alex Bowman (8), John Hunter Nemechek (12), Erik Jones (20), Ryan Preece (15), Tyler Reddick (23), Ty Gibbs (6), and Zane Smith (14).
32 has quickly become eight. pic.twitter.com/bnp2nETEDs
— NASCAR (@NASCAR) July 6, 2025
What Sparked the Heated Battle Between Bowman and Wallace?
“I didn’t really expect it when I passed him, and we got into (turn) 12, and he just shipped me,” Alex Bowman explained after his heated battle with Bubba Wallace. “Then he ran me in the fence into 1, ran me in the fence off of 2, and he’s just not clear, right? Like, I don’t have anywhere to go. We’re going straight, and we just get hooked together, and he ends up crashing.”
The most intense moment of the weekend came when Bowman and Wallace reignited their rivalry in a late-race confrontation that determined both drivers’ tournament fate. With six laps remaining, contact between the two resulted in Wallace spinning from a top-10 position to a 28th-place finish while Bowman secured eighth place and advancement.
Read More: ‘Just Demolished Me’ – Alex Bowman Breaks Silence on ‘Pinball’ Clash With Bubba Wallace in Ugly Chicago Street Fight
This marked the second consecutive year Bowman has bested Wallace at Chicago, adding another chapter to their ongoing feud. The incident perfectly captured the tournament’s intensity, where drivers are willing to take risks they might usually avoid with so much money at stake. Wallace’s elimination was particularly painful given his strong position before the contact, while Bowman’s advancement keeps his championship hopes alive.
Looking ahead to Sonoma, the quarterfinal matchups promise even more drama. Dillon faces Bowman in the ultimate David vs. Goliath battle. At the same time, Legacy Motor Club teammates Nemechek and Jones will square off against each other in what could be an awkward situation for the organization.
The Toyota/Save Mart 350 on July 13 will determine the final four drivers advancing to Dover Motor Speedway, with the championship showdown set for Indianapolis Motor Speedway on July 27. With only road course specialist van Gisbergen eliminated from contention and Sonoma being another road course, the remaining field should provide competitive racing as the tournament enters its final stages.
