The unlikely run continues for Ty Dillon. The Kaulig Racing driver has punched his ticket to the Final Four of the in-season challenge with a late move at Sonoma Raceway.
Dillon, who faced off with road course winner Alex Bowman, took advantage of a late opportunity at the California road course. He was behind the Hendrick Motorsports driver entering Turn 11. This was his final chance to make the pass that would put him one step closer to the $1 million prize.
"I saw the No. 48 there at the end, and I knew it was our opportunity to race hard and go get him," Dillon said after the race.
Dillon chose to take this opportunity. He bumped Bowman from behind and moved the No. 48 out of the preferred lane. Dillon darted to the inside with the No. 10 Chevrolet, and he beat Bowman to the finish line by two positions.
A bold move to make the semifinals! @tydillon moves @Alex_Bowman to advance in the In-Season Challenge! pic.twitter.com/qdylBL60RS
— NASCAR (@NASCAR) July 13, 2025
The Kaulig Racing driver advanced to the Final Four with a 17th-place finish. The Hendrick Motorsports driver saw his in-season challenge run end in the Round of 8.
The move did not lead to any apparent animosity. The two drivers had a conversation on pit road and parted ways after shaking hands and trading fist bumps.
All smiles from all involved.
Good battle, @Alex_Bowman!! 🤝 pic.twitter.com/RBztdZSXjg
— Kaulig Racing (@KauligRacing) July 13, 2025
"It was a rough couple of laps there. Alex and I race really clean," Dillon said. "I told him, 'Man, if it wasn't for the million dollars, I probably wouldn't have done that, but I had to. It's been an incredible run for this No. 10 Kaulig Racing Chevrolet team. We've worked so hard for this opportunity.
"I can't thank Matt Kaulig, Chris Rice, Ty Norris and Kaulig Racing for giving me the opportunity to shine again. I've worked so hard to get here and I'm just grateful. All of our partners that are on board, this has just been so much fun."
With Bowman eliminated, Dillon prepares for an unlikely matchup in the Final Four. He will take on another underdog, John Hunter Nemechek, who eliminated Legacy Motor Club teammate Erik Jones at Sonoma Raceway.
The winner of this matchup, which takes place at Dover Motor Speedway, will move on to the championship round at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. They will face off with either Ty Gibbs or Tyler Reddick.
"We're going to give it all we've got at Dover; put pressure on the guys," Dillon said. "I think you've seen through this that our team doesn't quit."