One thing immensely widespread within the NCAA, NASCAR star Denny Hamlin created his personal model of it final yr after floating the concept of introducing a mid-season bracket event to the inventory automotive racing world.
NASCAR has now taken steps to create their very own event, which can span throughout 5 races throughout the summer season months of the 2025 season, aligning with the occasions broadcasted by TNT Sports activities.
“With the launch of our new media rights partnerships in 2025, we had been excited to companion with Prime Video and TNT Sports activities to collaborate on fan engagement ideas that drive storylines in our sport and innovation from a manufacturing perspective,” stated Brian Herbst, NASCAR SVP, Media and Productions. “The thought of an in-season event has been mentioned throughout the NASCAR business and as we began to give attention to including promotional components that drive curiosity all through the season, we had been excited by the chance to leverage the advertising weight of Amazon and TNT Sports activities to deliver this idea to life.
“Having head-to-head driver matchups for every one in all TNT’s NASCAR Cup Collection races will add a compelling fan engagement factor throughout media platforms like TNT, Bleacher Report, Home of Highlights, and NASCAR digital platforms.”
The winner will obtain $1 million in prize cash. Seeding of the 32-driver event shall be established by ending place within the three earlier races, which shall be aired by Amazon Prime. Tiebreakers shall be decided by the next-best end, adopted by common season factors place.
Drivers will then compete head-to-head with the upper finisher advancing into the subsequent spherical. Dale Earnhardt Jr. was lately introduced as a part of the published for TNT/Amazon, so he shall be within the sales space for these races.
“It’s by no means been a greater time to be a fan of motorsports, and this new first-ever in-season event will deliver a brand new aggressive dynamic to NASCAR’s summer season race weekends,” stated Craig Barry, Govt Vice President and Chief Content material Officer, TNT Sports activities. “TNT Sports activities has all the time been on the forefront of creativity and innovation, and NASCAR is an ideal companion to deliver this imaginative and prescient to life throughout our networks and platforms.”
“We’re excited to be a part of NASCAR’s first in-season event subsequent season,” stated Charlie Neiman, Head of Sports activities Partnerships, Prime Video. “This event will showcase the league’s means to drive innovation and have interaction followers with elevated competitors throughout a key a part of the NASCAR schedule.”
