NASCAR’s inaugural In-Season Challenge is heating up the Brickyard 400, and it’s not just Ty Gibbs versus Ty Dillon for the $1 million prize. The real fireworks are off the track, where Gibbs’ sponsor, SAIA, and Dillon’s sponsor, Sea Best, have thrown down a spicy side bet. The loser of the Ty vs. Ty showdown will donate $10,000 to Toys for Tots, turning the tournament finale into a throwback to the iconic Budweiser and Miller sponsor battles from NASCAR’s past. It’s a feel-good wager with a competitive edge that adds extra juice to Sunday’s race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
The In-Season Challenge, a 32-driver single-elimination bracket, has now whittled down to Gibbs and Dillon after five races. Gibbs, the No. 6 seed, qualified fifth. Underdog Dillon, seeded 32nd, will start 26th. Their head-to-head finish will determine the million-dollar payout for their team owner.
So that’s cool.@TyGibbs confirms that his sponsor SAIA and @tydillon‘s sponsor Sea Best have a side wager for the In-Season Tournament finale – the losing backer will donate $10,000 to @ToysForTots_USA. (At least that’s how I understood it.)
I can get behind that. #NASCAR
— Jacob Seelman (@JacobSeelman77) July 27, 2025
However, SAIA and Sea Best are stealing the spotlight. This sponsor showdown recalls the old-school rivalries that once fueled NASCAR’s golden era, when brands battled fiercely to outshine each other. A $10,000 charity bet might not reach the intensity of the Bud-Miller ad wars, but it has fans buzzing about a fresh chapter in NASCAR’s sponsor story.
This Brickyard battle isn’t just about the money, as it’s more about bragging rights and heart. Gibbs and Dillon are racing for glory, and SAIA and Sea Best are making sure that kids benefit too, thanks to their Toys for Tots wager.
This is a developing story.
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