Todd Gilliland claims $1 million prize in NASCAR In-Season Challenge finale
ESPN F1 • 1 min read • Latest: Jul 27, 2026, 12:46 AM
Last updated Jul 27, 2026
Todd Gilliland emerged victorious in NASCAR's second In-Season Challenge at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, capitalizing on key incidents involving other competitors. Gilliland secured the final round after Daniel Suarez and Carson Hocevar encountered problems in earlier rounds. Although he finished 24th in the race, his performance allowed him to edge out Ryan Blaney, who was involved in a late crash, and ultimately claim the challenge's $1 million prize. Gilliland's advancement as a self-described underdog marked a notable achievement in his racing career, given his previous lack of wins in five Cup seasons.
- •Gilliland reached the final round of NASCAR's In-Season Challenge.
- •He capitalized on other drivers' misfortunes to secure his spot.
- •Gilliland finished 24th in the race but maintained a strong position against Blaney.
- •His win marks a major accomplishment despite his history of no race wins.
- •The finale took place at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
- 2:46 AMESPN F1 — Gilliland wins In-Season Challenge, $1M payday
- 12:46 AMYahoo Sports — Todd Gilliand competes surprising In-Season Challenge run by collecting $1 million paycheck
"Todd Gilliland reached the final round of NASCAR's second In-Season Challenge by taking advantage of all the right breaks. Daniel Suarez suffered an early tire problem in Round 1 at Sonoma and finished 31st. Alex Bowman finished two laps behind the leaders at Atlanta in Round 3, then made a pit lane mistake at North Wilkesboro, North Carolina, that helped eliminate Chase Elliott and put Gilliland in Sunday's finale at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
"Todd Gilliland reached the final round of NASCAR's second In-Season Challenge by taking advantage of all the right breaks.
Sources
External links- ESPN F1Jul 27, 2026, 2:46 AMGilliland wins In-Season Challenge, $1M payday
Todd Gilliland reached the final round of NASCAR's second In-Season Challenge by taking advantage of all the right breaks.
- Yahoo SportsJul 27, 2026, 12:46 AMTodd Gilliand competes surprising In-Season Challenge run by collecting $1 million paycheck
Todd Gilliland reached the final round of NASCAR's second In-Season Challenge by taking advantage of all the right breaks. Daniel Suarez suffered an early tire problem in Round 1 at Sonoma and finished 31st. Alex Bowman finished two laps behind the leaders at Atlanta in Round 3, then made a pit lane mistake at North Wilkesboro, North Carolina, that helped eliminate Chase Elliott and put Gilliland in Sunday's finale at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
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