Van Gisbergen’s first opponent in million-dollar challenge revealed

The bracket-based competition pits the top 32 drivers against each other in a five-race swing as part of TNT Sports’ broadcast deal.

The In-Season Challenge is NASCAR’s race within a race, adding another element to the Cup Series for fans to keep tabs on.

The goal is simple – finish ahead of your rival and progress to the next round until only two drivers are left.

The winner will be decided at Indianapolis Motor Speedway where the highest-placed of the two remaining drivers will earn $1 million USD ($1.42 million AUD).

Van Gisbergen is something of a dark horse coming into the In-Season Challenge for the first time.

He’s almost a lock to win the first round at Sonoma but faces a tricky assignment at Chicagoland where he has never raced before.

Assuming he defeats Preece in the first round, he will go head-to-head with either Team Penske’s Ryan Blaney or Wood Brothers Racing driver Josh Berry.

Blaney is undoubtedly the short-priced favourite over Berry.

After visiting Chicagoland, stock car racing’s premier series will head to Atlanta, then North Wilkesboro, and finally Indianapolis for the decider.

Chicagoland is arguably the toughest track for van Gisbergen on the schedule given his inexperience, though intermediate ovals have been a strong suit for SVG.

Atlanta is another speedway where van Gisbergen has gone well too, so a run deep into the challenge isn’t out of the question.

Before the In-Season Challenge begins, the NASCAR Cup Series will head to San Diego for the Anduril 250 Race the Base at the Coronado Naval Base.