2025 NASCAR In-Season Challenge staff predictions

With the opening race of the In-Season Challenge beginning Saturday at EchoPark Speedway (7 p.m. ET, TNT Sports/truTV, HBO Max, PRN Radio, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio), it's prediction time for NASCAR.com's editorial staff regarding the five-race slate culminating with one driver winning $1 million.

Twelve editorial members cast ballots in six categories. Continue reading to receive a full breakdown on each category, including voting totals and honorable mentions. 

RELATED: 2025 In-Season Challenge hub | Fill out your In-Season Challenge bracket for chance at $1 million!

What is the most intriguing first-round matchup?

(No. 16 seed) Kyle Busch vs. (No. 17) Brad Keselowski

The lowdown: There was plenty of variety in how editorial staff members answered, and this section was no different. Two former champions on practically equal seeding grounds, though, took the majority vote in this instance. Although neither has conquered the new-look Atlanta since its 2022 reconfiguration, the pair has plenty of experience on drafting-style tracks. Which one will utilize it just enough to prevail over the other? Wait and see.

MORE: Most intriguing matchups in the first round of In-Season Challenge

Vote totals, honorable mentions:

Kyle Busch vs. Brad Keselowski (four votes)
Ryan Blaney vs. Carson Hocevar (three votes)
Kyle Larson vs. Tyler Reddick (three votes)
Chris Buescher vs. Todd Gilliland (one vote)
Bubba Wallace vs. Daniel Suárez (one vote)

Which driver has the best chance to go on a "Cinderella" run?

(No. 22 seed) AJ Allmendinger 

The lowdown: The basketball dream is for a No. 16 seed to go on a deep run. In the racing realm, the No. 16 Kaulig Racing pilot takes the cake as a driver who could make that deep challenge push. With how the schedule is situated, this selection has validity to it. First is Atlanta, where the 43-year-old has finished 16th or better in his last three contests at the Georgia track, dating back to 2023. Then there are two consecutive road courses (Chicago, Sonoma), which, with 'Dinger being seen as a ringer on those tracks, plays to his benefit. And for a driver still looking to clinch a Cup Series Playoffs berth, this portion of the schedule is a huge opportunity to do just that. 

Vote totals, honorable mentions: 

AJ Allmendinger (three votes)
Michael McDowell (one vote)
John Hunter Nemechek (one vote)
Ross Chastain (one vote)
Zane Smith (one vote)
Kyle Busch (one vote)
Josh Berry (one vote)
Daniel Suárez (one vote)
Carson Hocevar (one vote)
Todd Gilliland (one vote)

Which driver is on the biggest "upset" watch?

(No. 3 seed) Chris Buescher, (No. 4) Christopher Bell (tie)

The lowdown: Both Bell and Buescher have shown race-contending capabilities on drafting tracks, but if there's one thing to know about Atlanta, it's this: anything goes. Though Bell won at the track in February, he almost didn't win that race, which saw a three-wide finish at the line in NASCAR Overtime. Buescher, meanwhile, has tallied results of 30th or worse in four of the last six Atlanta contests. Factoring in that each driver's opponent has the ability to surprise on a drafting track -- (29) Stenhouse for Bell, (30) Gilliland for Buescher -- then it makes plenty of sense why Bell and Buescher are in no way slam dunks in this opening round.

Vote totals, honorable mentions:

Chris Buescher (three votes)
Christopher Bell (three votes)
Denny Hamlin (one vote)
Chase Briscoe (one vote)
Ty Gibbs (one vote)
Alex Bowman (one vote)
Joey Logano (one vote)
Justin Haley (one vote)

Which track will bring the most chaos?

EchoPark Speedway (formerly Atlanta Motor Speedway)

The lowdown: In what was close to a runaway tally, Atlanta takes this segment. The new track layout, coupled with the Next Gen car, has yielded thrilling results, varying from last-lap dashes and microscopic photo finishes. Even before the configuration change in 2022, the track hasn't seen a repeat winner since 2015-16 (Jimmie Johnson). Adding all the variables together -- including the track acting as the opening venue for the challenge -- and there's reason to suspect that ... plenty of brackets will be busted once the Georgia dust settles.

Vote totals, honorable mentions:

EchoPark Speedway (seven votes)
Chicago Street Course (four votes)
Dover Motor Speedway (one vote)

Which drivers will make up the final four?

(No. 1 seed) Denny Hamlin, (No. 3) Chris Buescher, (No. 5) Chase Elliott, (No. 18) William Byron

The lowdown: In total, 18 drivers received at least one vote to make the final four, illustrating just how much driver parity there is within the challenge field. The cream that rose above the rest of the crop here, though, encompassed frequent race contenders and playoff mainstays. 

Vote totals, honorable mentions:

Chase Elliott (eight votes)
William Byron (eight votes)
Denny Hamlin (five votes)
Chris Buescher (five votes)
Joey Logano (five votes)
Christopher Bell (two votes)
Ryan Blaney (two votes)
Michael McDowell (two votes)
Austin Cindric (two votes)
Nine other drivers received one vote.

Who will win the 2025 NASCAR In-Season Challenge?

(No. 3 seed) Chris Buescher, (No. 5) Chase Elliott, (No. 18) William Byron (tie)

The lowdown: Editorial staff members were split on deciding a winner, with three drivers each receiving the same totals. But if there are three deserving of the prediction, it very well could be this trio, given all three have shown plenty of speed, battled at the front of the field and prospered on all track varieties, which will be necessary to conquer the challenge field and claim the $1 million prize. 

Vote totals, honorable mentions:

Chris Buescher (two votes)
Chase Elliott (two votes)
William Byron (two votes)
Denny Hamlin (one vote)
Christopher Bell (one vote)
Ryan Blaney (one vote)
Ross Chastain (one vote)
Joey Logano (one vote)
Carson Hocevar (one vote)