INDIANAPOLIS – Weather halted and eventually forced NASCAR to cancel any on track action for the NASCAR Cup Series on Friday, July 25 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

Qualifying will take place tomorrow at 2:35 p.m. ET. Be sure to tune in to see Kyle Larson, Chase Elliott, William Byron, and Alex Bowman set hot laps at the iconic track.

RELATED: Check out the paint schemes for Indy

Here is the TV schedule for this weekend:

NASCAR on TV this weekend

(All times listed in eastern time)

Friday, July 24

• 3:05 p.m. – CRAFTSMAN Truck Series practice, FS1
• 4:10 – CRAFTSMAN Truck Series qualifying, FS1
• 5:30 – ARCA race, FS1
• 8 – CRAFTSMAN Truck Series race, FS1

Saturday, July 19

• 1 p.m. – Xfinity Series qualifying, CW
• 2:35 – Cup Series qualifying, TruTV
• 4:30 – Xfinity Series race, CW

Sunday, July 20

• 2 p.m. – Cup Series race, TNT

RELATED: Highlights from Hendrick Motorsports pit crew minicamp

Where is NASCAR racing this weekend? 

This week, the NASCAR Cup and Xfinity Series are racing at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway while the CRAFTSMAN Truck Series and ARCA series visit Indianapolis Raceway Park.

Where is IRP? 

 Indianapolis Raceway Park is in Brownsburg, Indiana.

While it is the worst-kept secret in NASCAR, did Connor Zilisch tip his 2026 NASCAR plans earlier today at Indianapolis? Zilisch was asked about his upcoming start at Watkins Glen. He had an interesting answer about “next year” for fans interested in his next career move.

It is almost a guarantee that Connor Zilisch will be racing in the NASCAR Cup Series next season. He will be racing for Trackhouse Racing as they have already revealed they are moving on from Daniel Suárez after this season.

Still, the news isn’t officially out. Zilisch let it slip a bit. Either on purpose or by accident, he let it be known that he’s going for Sunday wins in 2026. Not that anyone is surprised to learn that fact.

“Honestly, I probably wish it was an oval for myself just because I could learn probably more. You know, I’ll go there and I’ll learn,” Zilisch said, via Steven Taranto of CBS Sports. “You know, there’s no substitute for time on Sundays, but I would definitely learn more if I was racing at Kansas or Vegas or something like that. I don’t really make those decisions, but I still feel like I’m going to be able to have more time in the Cup car, feeling the car, getting a better understanding of what I need to do to be a winning Sunday racer, and Trackhouse has been really good on the road courses lately.

“So, I have a lot of confidence in the car that we’ll have at Watkins Glen, and being able to compete with guys like SVG. You know, I want to be able to do that, and next year I feel like my best chance to win a race would be on a road course. So, the practice starts now, and that’s going to be good for me. Yeah, I’m not too worried about going out there and winning the race, but you know, by all means, I want to go and be competitive and try to run as good as possible and just have a mistake-free day, quiet day, and hopefully, come home with a good finish.”

Connor Zilisch is a young phenom. He recently turned 19 years old and already has four wins this season. The sky is the limit for the Trackhouse development driver. In his last eight races, he has finished P5 or better and has three wins in that same time.

It is clear to anyone who has watched that Zilisch is ready for Sundays. At this point, another Xfinity Series season is just redundant. Justin Marks and Trackhouse want to get Zilisch in a Cup car full-time as soon as possible.

Last year, Connor Zilisch said he wanted to be the youngest Cup champion. That will be very difficult for Zilisch. However, given his talent, you can’t put it past him.

Next year is important for Trackhouse. Ross Chastain, Shane van Gisbergen, and Connor Zilisch are a fantastic trio. The results on the track have to be there, though. Recently, the speed on ovals has not been up to standard.

So, there is work for Trackhouse to do. Marks can’t plug Zilisch into the 99 car and expect wins and championships. Zilisch is a talented driver. Winning a race isn’t easy for anyone. Winning a championship is increasingly more difficult.

Trackhouse Racing has had a long-term plan in place. Signing Connor Zilisch last year was a master move. Now, Justin Marks and his team have to follow up. Zilisch brings talent and a future, but can’t do it alone.

Long before Danica Patrick became a household name amongst motorsports fans, the former NASCAR driver received a much-needed boost to her racing career from an NFL team owner.

Back in 1998, Patrick — who recently turned heads at Tomorrowland before receiving backlash for her inclusion in Sky Sports’ F1 coverage — was presented with a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

John Mecom Jr., a Texas tycoon and original owner of the New Orleans Saints, offered to fund the 16-year-old’s stay in England, during which she’d race in the extremely competitive British formula system. Two years prior, he was first introduced to the young driver and her family by Lyn St. James in his suite during the Indianapolis 500.

“Everyone says, ‘How could you do that?'” T.J., Patrick’s father, told ESPN. “My reply is, ‘How could you not?’ It’s the Harvard or Yale of motorsports.”

Upon acquiring her GED, Patrick moved by herself to Milton Keynes, a quiet town located approximately 45 miles outside of London. “I was excited,” she recalled. “I got to leave high school. I got to leave at 16 and go live in another country away from my family and I could do whatever I wanted, and at that age that’s the most exciting thing in the world,” she said.

“I think for my family it was really hard. I think they’ve always felt I could take care of myself, but you can never control the sort of things that happen out of nowhere. More than anything they were more concerned I was happy and being treated right and having a chance to be successful on the track.”

It didn’t take long, however, for Patrick’s excitement to wear off once she touched down across the pond. As the only American girl competing in the Formula Vauxhall series, she was swiftly labeled an outcast by her teammates while her coaches made little attempts to help her succeed.

“My experience over there was they just weren’t as far along receiving something new and different from a gender-barrier perspective,” Patrick said. “And there were a lot of European drivers, so that made it tough. That made it tough when your team owner doesn’t even think that you should be the fastest.”

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One day in particular still sticks out to Patrick. “I’d finished faster than everyone else, and the owner of the team got on the other guys like, ‘The girl is the quickest? What the f— are you doing? Get out and drive,'” she said.

“It was honestly like he didn’t think that could be possible, for a girl to do really well. And that’s how it was the entire time.”

Though Patrick’s peers didn’t believe she could succeed, the Beloit, Wisconsin native never lost trust in herself. “England taught me to be unemotional and self-protective,” she said. “For as dire as it was at times, and as frustrating, I never thought it wasn’t going to happen for me. I had too much to offer. And I thought if I got the right opportunities and right equipment and right people, I could be big. And if I could do the job on top of it, that would make a really kick-a– story.”

Connor Zilisch led the rain-interrupted practice Friday at Indianapolis Motor Speedway for the Pennzoil 250 NASCAR Xfinity Series race before heavy rain washed out the NASCAR Cup Series practice for the Brickyard 400 presented by PPG.

Lightning around the 2.5-mile oval forced the suspension of practice within minutes of the end of the rain-interrupted Xfinity Series session, and heavy rain 40 minutes later prevented any track activity for the NASCAR Cup Series.

The updated Saturday schedule (all times Eastern):

1-1:55 p.m.: NASCAR Xfinity Series Qualifying

2-2:30 p.m.: NASCAR Cup Series Practice

2:35 p.m.: NASCAR Cup Series Qualifying

4:30 p.m.: Pennzoil 250 Race (NASCAR Xfinity Series)

Zilisch powered to the top spot on his final lap in the Xfinity Series practice, reaching 166.627 mph in the No. 88 WeatherTech Chevrolet fielded by JR Motorsports, co-owned by NASCAR legend Dale Earnhardt Jr.

“I’ve been here on the road course a couple of times, but running the oval is a unique experience,” said Zilisch, who turned 19 on Tuesday. “It’s really cool. I grew up watching the Indy 500, and it’s such an iconic racetrack.

“It’s really cool to make my first laps on the oval, and running across the bricks is always a special feeling. Even cooler to have a fast car, so I’m excited for the race tomorrow.”

That lap was nearly 1.5 mph faster than the No. 2 driver on the speed chart, Carson Kvapil, whose best lap was 165.132 in the No. 1 Bass Pro Shops/Clarience Tech Chevrolet also owned by JR Motorsports. Kvapil’s car features a throwback livery matching that of 2010 Brickyard 400 winner Jamie McMurray.

Sam Mayer was third at 164.938 in the No. 41 Audibel Ford, followed by 2018 Pennzoil 250 winner Justin Allgaier at 164.513 in the No. 7 Hellmann’s Spicy Mayo Chevrolet.

Reigning Brickyard 400 winner Kyle Larson, doing double duty this weekend in both NASCAR series competing at IMS, rounded out the top five at 164.120 in the No. 17 HendrickCars.com Chevrolet.

There were two incidents that triggered stoppages during the 55-minute practice.

Ten minutes into practice, Daniel Dye did a half-spin exiting Turn 2 in the No. 10 Champion Container Chevrolet and nosed into the SAFER Barrier inside Turn 2. He was able to drive back to pit lane.

Twelve minutes later, Taylor Gray brushed the SAFER Barrier in Turn 2 and did half-spins left and right on the back straightaway before regaining control of his No. 54 Operation 300 Toyota. He was able to drive his car back to Gasoline Alley.

Visit IMS.com to buy Brickyard Weekend tickets or for more information.

LOS ANGELES, July 25, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — A new era in motorsports begins as Formula GT officially unveils its global debut, set for Spring 2026. Combining cutting-edge technology, raw torque, and high-speed performance with the world’s most elite hypercars, Formula GT is poised to revolutionize the racing world. Formula GT Global launch Gala is sponsored by Apple Music, Aston Martin and Modern Luxury Angeleno.

To kick off this groundbreaking initiative, Formula GT will host an exclusive global launch gala on July 26, 2025 at 8:30 PM at Gravitas Beverly Hills. This private event will offer an exciting preview of the league’s innovative approach to motorsport and entertainment.

Formula GT will debut in six of the world’s most iconic cities: Mexico City, Miami, Los Angeles, London, Cannes, and Dubai. The league expects to draw over 1 million live attendees and reach more than 100 million viewers globally through streaming.

At the helm of Formula GT is British-Canadian entertainment visionary Arthur AJ Chipman, renowned for his work with the Olympic Games and Formula 1. Chipman’s extensive experience in global production and entertainment promises to deliver a truly unforgettable fusion of motorsport, live entertainment, and cultural impact.

“Formula GT is a fusion of speed, innovation, and the lifestyle of tomorrow. From the roar of hypercar engines to dazzling live entertainment and immersive digital engagement, this league will redefine what live sports look like in the 21st century,” says Chipman, CEO & President of Formula GT.

A New Standard for Motorsport
Formula GT promises to set a new benchmark for motorsport with its exceptional features:

• The world’s most powerful hypercars engineered by leading global manufacturers
  

• Legendary race drivers competing head-to-head on custom-built and street circuits
  

• Celebrity, athlete, and influencer integrations during live events and broadcasts
  

• Immersive fan experiences, including augmented reality viewing and VIP hospitality
  

• Advanced broadcasting technology offering global streaming, social interaction, and high-definition drama

Each race weekend will deliver a festival-style atmosphere that blends the excitement of motorsport with fashion, music, tech showcases, and cultural exhibitions tailored to each host city.

Global Launch Calendar:

• Mexico City, Mexico
   

• Miami, USA
   

• Los Angeles, USA
   

• London, UK
   

• Marina Bay, Singapore
   

• Dubai, UAE

Formula GT: More Than a Race, It’s a Movement
Formula GT is more than just a race, it’s a cultural force, a media powerhouse, and a technological marvel that brings sport, culture, and innovation to the forefront of global entertainment.

Richmond native Denny Hamlin is at the center of a lot of what is going on right now in NASCAR.

On the track, he was the winner last week in Dover, his fourth win of the 2025 season.

Off the track, Hamlin is making news regarding his future with Joe Gibbs Racing, and his comments on the antitrust lawsuit involving 23XI Racing.

Rod Mullins joins the show to go over the Hamlin news.

We also talk about the scheduled road race in San Diego in 2026, next week’s Speedway Classic MLB game in Bristol, and wrap by previewing this weekend’s race at the Brickyard.