Bubba Wallace and Kyle Larson recently admitted they were caught off guard by the start of NASCAR’s new $1 million “In-Season Challenge,” despite the event being heavily promoted as a fan-driven highlight of the season. Both drivers confessed that the launch of the competition had slipped their minds, showing that even top-tier competitors can sometimes lose track of the sport’s evolving schedule.
Wallace acknowledged the significance of the challenge, especially from a fan engagement standpoint, saying it’s “big for the fans” and a great way to bring added excitement during the heart of the season. However, he openly admitted that he hadn’t realized the challenge had already begun, indicating that while the concept is exciting, communication and awareness among drivers might need improvement.
Kyle Larson had a similar reaction. He seemed surprised to learn that the 32-driver field for the competition had already been finalized following the race in Nashville. While he praised the format and the potential it holds for spicing up the regular season, his comments revealed that even drivers weren’t fully in sync with the timeline or structure of the new initiative.
The “In-Season Challenge” was designed to inject more intensity and fan interest into midseason racing, with a $1 million prize up for grabs. It includes a points-based competition among selected drivers over a series of races. Despite its promising format and financial incentive, the challenge’s launch highlights a gap between NASCAR’s promotional efforts and driver awareness — something NASCAR may want to address as the competition continues.
