Overview

• Denny Hamlin secured the No. 1 seed based on results from Michigan, Mexico City and Pocono and will race Ty Dillon at Atlanta Motor Speedway next week.
• Thirty-two drivers qualified for the knockout tournament, which reduces to 16 at Chicago, eight at Sonoma Raceway, four at Dover and the final two at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
• The inaugural Challenge awards a $1 million prize and is part of NASCAR’s new media rights deal with TNT.
• RFK Racing’s Chris Buescher sees the format as a fan-engagement tool, while Trackhouse’s Ross Chastain insists it won’t alter race strategies.
• Shane van Gisbergen missed the field despite his Mexico City win after finishing outside the top 32 when the bracket was set following Nashville.