NASCAR Cup Series at Indianapolis Motor Speedway Preview

The NASCAR Cup Series is racing at the racing capital of the world, Indianapolis Motor Speedway, for the Brickyard 400. Here is everything you need to know for Sunday’s 400 miles of action.

NASCAR Cup Series Brickyard 400 Preview and Predictions

Last time by at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, it was Kyle Larson getting redemption at the Brickyard for a great rookie attempt at the Indianapolis 500. In 2025, we have seen Larson retreat into his shell after what can only be described as an unsuccessful attempt this year. Can we see Larson back in form? Or will Denny Hamlin capture the last crown jewel left on his resume?

Read More: Kyle Larson gets redemption at Indianapolis, Wins Brickyard 400.

Race Preview:

The Brickyard 400 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway is a 400-mile, 160-lap race around the speedway. Stage cautions will be on laps 50 and 100, and the checkered flag lap is 160. A total of 11,055,250 dollars are available in the prize purse for this race. Teams will have 12 sets of tires for the race, consisting of 11 fresh sets and 1 set from qualifying. The tires are a combination; the left sides were most recently used at Michigan, and the right sides from Pocono.

The Track-Indianapolis Motor Speedway:

Built in 1909, Indianapolis Motor Speedway is the oldest major speedway in the world and an iconic racing venue around the world. 2.5 miles in length, it features four turns, with 9 degrees of banking, and a front straight with 3 degrees, and a back stretch with none. It is a track that demands precision from all who drive it, whether in an IndyCar or a NASCAR stock car.

There have been 28 Brickyard 400s. Jeff Gordon won the first Brickyard 400 in 1994. He holds the record for wins with 5 Brickyard 400 wins. Kyle Busch has the record amongst active drivers with two. Kevin Harvick set the lap record in 2018, running a 0:48.638-second lap.

Cup Series Point Standings:

These are the Cup Series point standings after last week’s race at Dover:

1. Chase Elliott: 702
2. William Byron: 686
3. Kyle Larson: 664
4. Denny Hamlin: 663
5. * Tyler Reddick: 640
6. Christopher Bell: 635
7. Ryan Blaney: 576
8. Chase Briscoe: 570
9. Alex Bowman: 547
10. Chris Buescher: 528

Read More: Old Tires Were the Right Call as Denny Hamlin Tames the Monster Mile Again

Drivers To Watch:

Three drivers are joining the field for this race, they are:

• Josh Bilicki, #66 Ford, Garage 66
• Jesse Love, #62 Chevy, Beard Motorsports
• Katherine Legge, #78 Chevy, McLeod Motorsports

This weekend is the final round of the NASCAR In-Season Challenge. It is the battle of the Ty’s, Dillon vs Gibbs, and I think it will be Ty Dillon pulling off the upset and winning the 1 million.

Read More: Who Will Win The NASCAR In-Season Challenge?

When I think of drivers who can win this race, I think of Denny Hamlin and Kyle Larson. Hamlin has the momentum and the drive; he wants nothing more than to kiss the bricks. Denny Hamlin has the right stuff to win this race.

Kyle Larson has had an awful season since he strapped into an IndyCar for this year’s Indy 500. A wreck on a restart in the 500 and then a DNF in the Coke 600 have seen Larson go into his shell. This weekend needs to be a reawakening for the No. 5 team, and they can do it. Look for Larson to reawaken this Sunday.

Ryan Blaney is my best pick for the Fords this weekend. Third last year, and what a story it would be if a Penske car drove back into victory lane at Indy after the Indy 500 their IndyCar teammates had. Look out for Blaney on Sunday.

How To Watch The Cup Series at Indianapolis:

Here is the weekend schedule for the Brickyard 400:

• Friday, July 25th:
  • Practice:
    • 1:05 PM Eastern
    • Coverage is on TruTV
• Saturday, July 26th:
  • Qualifying:
    • 2:35 PM Eastern
    • Coverage is on TruTV, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio, and Indy Radio
• Sunday, July 27th:
  • The Brickyard 400:
    • 2:00 PM Eastern
    • Coverage is on TNT Sports, HBOMax, and radio coverage on SiriusXM NASCAR Radio

Stay tuned to Last Word On Motorsports for all the updates from NASCAR’s weekend in Indianapolis

Main Photo: Justin Casterline, Getty Images

Recording Date: July 16, 2024