Indianapolis, Indiana – The Brickyard 400, one of the most prestigious events in the NASCAR Cup Series, will not only feature intense racing on the track but also the culmination of the inaugural In-Season Challenge. On Sunday, July 27, 2025, fans will witness a unique showdown between two drivers with the same first name but very different stories — Ty Gibbs and Ty Dillon. These two competitors have made it to the final of this special competition, and the stakes are high: the winner’s team owner will earn a $1 million bonus at the checkered flag at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway (IMS).
The In-Season Challenge, which began with 32 drivers, is a single-elimination tournament where participants advanced by finishing ahead of their opponent during specific Cup Series races. The top 32 drivers in points after the Cracker Barrel 400 on June 1 at Nashville Superspeedway were eligible to enter the challenge. The results from subsequent races in Michigan, Mexico City, and Pocono determined the seedings, with drivers racing against each other in each event to advance.
For Gibbs, the No. 6 seed, his journey through the challenge has been nothing short of impressive. He entered as a strong contender and continued to show his skill, finishing 14th, second, seventh, and fifth in the first four rounds. In each of these races, Gibbs secured victories over tough opponents, including Justin Haley, AJ Allmendinger, Zane Smith, and most recently, Tyler Reddick in the semi-finals at Dover Motor Speedway. Gibbs, who drives the No. 54 Toyota for Joe Gibbs Racing, has proven himself as a consistent and strong performer, and he’s now one win away from taking home the grand prize for his team.
On the other hand, Ty Dillon’s journey has been more of a Cinderella story. The 32nd seed has defied expectations, advancing through the competition with a series of upsets. Dillon, who drives the No. 10 Chevrolet for Kaulig Racing, began his run by defeating top-seeded Denny Hamlin in the opening round at Atlanta. He continued to shock the field by besting Brad Keselowski in Chicago and Alex Bowman at Sonoma. Despite finishing outside the top 15 in several of the previous races, including 20th place finishes at Pocono and Dover, Dillon’s resilience and racecraft have earned him a spot in the final. His ability to advance through the ranks despite his lower seed shows that he is more than capable of pulling off an upset.
As these two drivers head into the final race at IMS, the track itself may provide some unexpected challenges. Gibbs made his Brickyard debut last year, finishing 23rd after qualifying sixth, while Dillon has a slightly better average finish at the track with a 17.2 in five starts.
Dillon finished 19th at the Brickyard in 2024, ahead of Gibbs. However, given the unpredictable nature of the Brickyard 400 and the stakes of the In-Season Challenge, both drivers will need to stay focused and execute their strategies flawlessly.
While Gibbs has had the edge in consistency throughout the challenge, Dillon’s underdog story has captured the hearts of fans. Both drivers have yet to secure a Cup Series victory, and winning the In-Season Challenge at the Brickyard would not only earn them a $1 million bonus for their team owner but also serve as a career-defining moment. The prospect of winning their first-ever Cup Series race at one of the most iconic tracks in motorsports would be a fitting conclusion to the 2025 NASCAR season.
“The Brickyard 400 is one of the most coveted races in NASCAR, and now with the In-Season Challenge on the line, the excitement is even higher,” said NASCAR President Steve Phelps. “Both Ty Gibbs and Ty Dillon have worked hard to get here, and they’ve earned their spots in the final. It’s going to be an incredible showdown, and the winner’s team owner will walk away with a $1 million bonus. It’s the kind of competition that makes NASCAR even more thrilling.”
As the race day approaches, anticipation is building for what promises to be a thrilling conclusion to the In-Season Challenge. Fans attending the Brickyard 400 can expect an exciting race, not only to determine the winner of one of NASCAR’s most prestigious events but also to see who will claim the $1 million bonus for their team. The Brickyard is no stranger to intense competition, and this year’s race will add a new layer of excitement as Gibbs and Dillon battle it out for the grand prize.
Ticket information for the Brickyard Weekend, which includes the Brickyard 400 presented by PPG on Sunday, July 27, and the Pennzoil 250 for the NASCAR Xfinity Series, is available at IMS.com. With both the traditional race and the In-Season Challenge finale on the line, this year’s Brickyard 400 promises to be one for the history books. Fans can expect plenty of action and drama as these two determined drivers fight for victory — and for their team owners’ $1 million reward.
