NASCAR star Ryan Blaney is predicting a 'heck of a battle' between himself and Christopher Bell in the In-Season Challenge at North Wilkesboro Speedway this Sunday.

Just four drivers now remain in the hunt for the $1 million prize, with the two drivers paired against each other this weekend in North Carolina, with only one able to progress to the final at Indianapolis next time out.

Blaney has beaten Josh Berry, Shane van Gisbergen and William Byron to get to this stage, but given Bell's fine form in recent weeks, he is undoubtedly Blaney's toughest opponent so far.

That said, the Team Penske star says he is expecting a tough battle this weekend, and that he is enjoying being involved deep into this year's edition having been eliminated in Round 1 in 2025.

READ MORE: NASCAR Race Today: North Wilkesboro start times, schedule, TV channel and live stream

Ryan Blaney previews Christopher Bell matchup

“I feel like that’s gonna be a really heck of a battle between me and Christopher [Bell] this weekend," Blaney told the media at North Wilkesboro Speedway, previewing his In-Season Challenge matchup.

"They run really good on short tracks. We have a history of running really good on short tracks. He won the All-Star Race here last year, so he’s gonna be really tough competition. That’s gonna be a heck of a battle.

"I wouldn’t say through the race during the In-Season Challenge that we’ve been a part of I have really focused too much on who I’m running. I see who we’re up against during the week and then I just try to go focus on my job during the race. I haven’t really been in situations like coming down to the end of the race and we’re running eighth and the other guy is running seventh, then maybe I would think about it, but I look at it once and then just try to go win the race and that stuff takes care of itself.

"It’s been fun to be a part of it, that’s for sure. I got knocked out after Round 1 last year, so it’s been kind of fun to go through the bracket and see who you’re up against through the week and then go do your deal. It’s nice to be a part of it. It’s really neat.

"I wasn’t really part of it last year, but I enjoyed watching how it played out because motorsports isn’t a one v one type thing like a March Madness or other sports, so I think it’s cool that they’ve implemented this in our sport.

"Like I said, it’s gonna be a heck of a battle for sure between he and I this weekend.”

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