Corey LaJoie didn’t hold back after fellow Cup Series driver Carson Hocevar showed confusion about NASCAR’s new In-Season Challenge format. The interaction unfolded on social media after Sunday’s race at Michigan International Speedway, the first of three seeding events for the $1 million tournament.
Hocevar, who drives the No. 77 Chevrolet for Spire Motorsports, was surprised to learn that the seeding for the new In-Season challenge isn’t based on overall points. Instead, NASCAR is using drivers’ best finishes in three specific races, Michigan (June 8), Mexico City (June 15), and Pocono (June 22), to determine the seed order.
The 32-driver field, however, was locked in after the Cracker Barrel 400 at Nashville on June 1, based on points. The In-Season Challenge is a brand-new addition to the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series calendar. It introduces a five-race, single-elimination tournament starting June 28 at Echopark Speedway, which was formerly Atlanta Motor Speedway.
Each driver in the 32-driver bracket will face a head-to-head opponent in regular races. For example, the No. 1 seed will go against the No. 32 seed, and so on. After the Michigan race, NASCAR posted the current seedings on its Insights page on X (formerly Twitter). That’s when Hocevar, seemingly unaware of the full format, responded by saying:
“Seeding isn’t just based off points?”
Michigan marked the 1st of 3 seeding races for the In-Season Tournament, beginning at Atlanta. Seeding is based off of a drivers best finish in the 3 races.
After 1 race, here are the current seeding positions: pic.twitter.com/rfqRQ1TGUH
— NASCAR Insights (@NASCARInsights) June 9, 2025
LaJoie, who is running part-time for Rick Ware Racing this season, mocked the confusion with his sarcastic reply.
“That would make too much sense,” LaJoie wrote.
That would make too much sense.
— Corey LaJoie (@CoreyLaJoie) June 9, 2025
The final two seeding races will take place in Mexico City and Pocono before the bracket is finalized. If two drivers have the same best finish, ties will be broken using the points standings after Pocono.
Even as the In-Season Challenge plays out, the regular season continues as usual. Drivers are still trying to make the playoffs by winning races or staying high in the point standings.
Carson Hocevar Left Disappointed After Michigan
Hocevar came close to scoring his first NASCAR Cup Series win on Sunday, but a flat tire late in the race ruined his hopes. The 22-year-old was leading with just 18 laps to go when the left rear tire on his No. 77 Chevrolet went down. He had to make an unscheduled pit stop and ended up finishing 29th, a lap down on the leaders.
Hocevar, who finished runner-up in the previous race at Nashville, was hoping for better luck at Michigan. After Sunday’s race, Hocevar shared his disappointment on X, writing:
“Two days in a row with a flat LR (left rear) leading.. today is a little more disappointing. Thankful to be upfront all weekend at home. headed home with our heads held high. 👍”
two days in a row with a flat LR leading.. today is a little more disappointing. thankful to be upfront all weekend at home. headed home with our heads held high. 👍
— Carson Hocevar (@CarsonHocevar) June 8, 2025
Hocevar started the Firekeepers Casino 400 in 14th place but moved up quickly. He finished Stage 1 in 10th and climbed into the top three by the end of Stage 2. He took the lead on Lap 152 and was just four laps short on fuel. The team tried to manage the lead while saving fuel, but their strategy fell apart when the tire went flat.
The Spire Motorsports driver currently sits 18th in the drivers’ standings with 304 points to his name.