An 18-car crash had a huge impact on the inaugural NASCAR In-Season Challenge, collecting the top two seeds and several other contenders in the five-race bracket for $1 million. The wreck appeared to begin shortly after a Lap 69 restart with contact between Denny Hamlin,

The debut of NASCAR's In-Season Challenge in Saturday night's Cup Series race in Atlanta generated differing opinions and expectations from drivers. After all, there's a points race to attend to. Every team's top priority is qualifying for the playoffs and trying to win the championship.

For example, first-seeded Denny Hamlin will go up against the No. 32 seed, Ty Dillon, on Saturday, while No. 7 Ryan Blaney will go up against Portage native Carson Hocevar, who is ranked 26th. The winner of the event, which will be crowned in the return of the Brickyard 400 next month, will receive a $1 million prize.