The Brickyard 400 has even more at stake this weekend as Ryan Blaney and Todd Gilliland go head-to-head for NASCAR’s $1 million In-Season Challenge prize. After surviving four rounds of the single-elimination tournament, the two Ford drivers are the last competitors standing with a massive payday on the line.
Blaney enters the finale as the favorite thanks to his championship pedigree and consistent speed throughout the 2026 season. Meanwhile, Gilliland has embraced the underdog role, putting together an impressive tournament run to earn the biggest opportunity of his NASCAR Cup Series career.
While the winner of the Brickyard 400 will claim one of NASCAR’s crown-jewel victories, all eyes will also be on the battle between Blaney and Gilliland. Regardless of where they finish overall, whichever driver ends the race ahead of the other will take home the $1 million bonus, adding another layer of drama to one of the sport’s most iconic events.