NASCAR and WWE have always shared a flair for the dramatic. There are wild finishes, rivalries, and larger-than-life personalities that keep fans on the edge of their seats. Sometimes, the line between racing and wrestling blurs so much, you’d swear you were watching a WrestleMania match instead of a superspeedway showdown.
Remember when Tony Stewart dropped his iconic, “I’d wreck his mom for the championship” line, something straight out of a WWE mic talk segment? Or when Ricky Stenhouse Jr. punched Kyle Busch at the 2024 All-Star race? Well, during the first-ever NASCAR In-Season Challenge turned driver intros turned into a scene straight out of Monday Night Raw.
With a million-dollar prize on the line and the pressure cranked up, the stage was set for a little fun, and maybe even a little “fighting.” But when two road course aces with a knack for showmanship decided to bring the drama, well, let’s just say nobody was expecting what happened next.
Michael McDowell and AJ Allmendinger ‘fight’ for the In-Season championship
The inaugural NASCAR In-Season Challenge has electrified the sport, bringing a fresh, bracket-style format where drivers battle head-to-head for a shot at a $1 million prize. The tournament, inspired by similar competitions in other sports, divides the field into 32 drivers seeded by recent performance. Each round, ultimately culminating with the championship round at Indianapolis, high stakes and even higher drama.
As the first round kicked off at Atlanta, all eyes were on the intriguing matchups, none more so than the showdown between road course aces Michael McDowell (seeded 11th) and AJ Allmendinger (seeded 22nd). Both McDowell and Allmendinger have built reputations as fearless competitors on winding circuits. However, their paths converged in Atlanta’s unique superspeedway environment, with the next two races being road courses at Chicago and Sonoma. The pair were pitted against each other in the tournament’s opening round, with the winner advancing to face Ty Gibbs or Justin Haley.
Naturally, with so much on the line (not just tournament points, but also bragging rights and a shot at the million-dollar jackpot), the tension between the two veterans was palpable. And it spilled over hilariously during pre-race driver introductions. Taking the stage together, with the AEW Championship belt between them, McDowell and Allmendinger decided to lean into the moment, turning their rivalry into a playful, WWE-style brawl for the crowd’s entertainment.
THERE’S A FIGHT IN DRIVER INTROS pic.twitter.com/1Y4AIIFXav
— Spire Motorsports (@SpireMotorsport) June 28, 2025
Armed with trash talk and dramatic gestures, they “sold” the fight, feigning punches as the audience erupted in laughter and cheers. The lighthearted antics showcased the camaraderie and showmanship that have made NASCAR so beloved, while also highlighting the genuine competitive fire between the two drivers. With the tournament underway, fans can expect plenty more drama, laughs, and unforgettable moments as the field narrows and the pressure intensifies.
At the end of it all, Allmendinger finished in 12th place, whereas McDowell was down in 18th, putting the Kaulig Racing drive through to the next round, bettering his shot at a million dollars with two road courses coming up.
Fans also get a chance to win the million-dollar prize
It’s not just the drivers who have a shot at a life-changing payday during NASCAR’s In-Season Challenge. The fans are in on the action, too. NASCAR has launched a $1 million Bracket Challenge game. It invites fans to join the excitement by filling out their own tournament brackets and predicting the winners of each head-to-head matchup.
Just like the drivers, fans who nail every pick and submit a perfect bracket are eligible to win a cool $1 million, making this the ultimate fantasy sports prize for NASCAR enthusiasts. The tournament spans five races, with the field of 32 drivers whittled down each week until only two remain for a final showdown at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
Along the way, fans can track their progress, earn points for correct picks, and even score bonus points for correctly predicting upsets. The top three fantasy scorers, not just the perfect bracket winner, also have a shot at cash prizes topping out at $10,000. Dale Earnhardt Jr., NASCAR fan-favorite analyst, has joined the fun by revealing his championship pick on social media. “Who do you have winning the in‑season tournament? I got @Chris_Buescher,” he posted on X.
His participation highlights just how much the racing community has embraced the In-Season Challenge. Drivers, analysts, and fans are all vying for bragging rights and big money. With the chance to win $1 million, the Bracket Challenge has quickly become one of the hottest topics in NASCAR, proving that the thrill of competition isn’t limited to the track. And, most importantly, that every fan can feel like a champion, at least for a weekend. Have you made your bracket yet? How is it going after the first race? Let us know in the comments!
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