The Brickyard 400 returns for the first time since 2020 on Sunday, and will be the backdrop for a crucial race amid the playoff bubble battle. Stars such as Kyle Larson, Denny Hamlin and Ryan Blaney will look to add a crown jewel to their resume, while Ross Chastain and Bubba Wallace will continue to fight for the final spot in the 16-driver playoffs.
Watching cars roll through Gasoline Alley gives us chills. pic.twitter.com/7CsU5FA70U
— NASCAR (@NASCAR) July 20, 2024
The Track – Indianapolis Motor Speedway
The 2.5 mile Indianapolis Motor Speedway remains one of the most famous sporting venues in the world. Originally paved with bricks, only a single strip of bricks remain at the start/finish line, being the namesake of the “Brickyard 400.” The Cup Series hasn’t raced on the oval at IMS since 2020, and Sunday’s race will be the first at the oval with the Next-Gen car. There’s plenty of intrigue surrounding the race, and for good reason – the racing product on Sunday could determine the future of the track’s use in NASCAR going forward.
Current NASCAR Cup Series Standings:
Regular-Season Championship:
- Chase Elliott, 703
- Kyle Larson, 700 (-3)
- Tyler Reddick, 688 (-15)
- Denny Hamlin, 683 (-20)
- William Byron, 646 (-57)
Both Elliott and Larson were knocked out of winning contention by speeding penalties at Pocono, but were able to claw their way back into the top-15. Meanwhile top-six efforts by Denny Hamlin and Tyler Reddick bring them into the regular-season title fold, with William Byron lurking in the shadows if misfortune befalls the top-four.
Playoff Standings:
13. Martin Truex Jr (+137)
14. Ty Gibbs (+67)
15. Chris Buescher (+44)
16. Ross Chastain (+27)
17. Bubba Wallace (-27)
18. Chase Briscoe (-75)
19. Kyle Busch (-102)
20. Todd Gilliland (-127)
Don’t count Bubba Wallace out just yet. Three straight top-13 finishes have the Mobile, Alabama native right back in the playoff hunt. At the other end of the spectrum is Ross Chastain, who now finds himself on the bubble after a crash at Pocono. Everyone below Wallace will likely need a win in order to make the playoffs, but don’t count out Kyle Busch just yet – with a 19-year winning streak and a playoff berth on the line, all it takes is one vintage KFB race for the driver of the No. 8 to be back in contention.
Brickyard 400 Preview:
Fastest in practice.
Fastest in qualifying. @TylerReddick wins the #BuschLightPole for tomorrow's race at @IMS! pic.twitter.com/LGnuwgPQB6— NASCAR (@NASCAR) July 20, 2024
Tyler Reddick has been the fastest man in Indiana so far, topping both the practice and qualifying charts at IMS. In a race where track position will be key, starting up front and having a car good enough to stay there could be the catalyst for Reddick’s second win of 2024. His team owner, Denny Hamlin, will start opposite of him on the front row, and with Indianapolis being the only crown jewel race missing from Hamlin’s collection, Indianapolis could be the setting for a classic Toyota battle.
The Hendrick trio of Chase Elliott, William Byron and Kyle Larson could have something to say about that, however, as the three drivers will start third, fourth and fifth, respectively.
https://twitter.com/NASCAR/status/1814665338895700302
Ford’s best bet to snag a win at the Brickyard could be Pocono winner Ryan Blaney, who will start higher than any other Ford driver for Sunday’s race.
How to watch the Brickyard 400 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway:
Coverage of Sunday’s race will begin at 2 p.m. ET on NBC, with the green flag waving shortly after 2:30. MRN’s coverage will start at 1:30 p.m. ET, while SiriusXM NASCAR Radio will also provide race coverage.
