After an east coast swing, the NASCAR Sprint Cup series is heading to the central part of the country for the Brickyard 400. The biggest storyline heading into the weekend is Jeff Gordon, who will drive the Hendrick Motorsports #88 this weekend while Dale Earnhardt Jr. sits out another week due to concussion-like symptoms. More on that, as well as other news and notes below. 


Weekend Schedule (All times Eastern)

Friday, July 22

First Practice - 1:30 p.m. - 2:55 p.m.

Final Practice - 4:00 p.m. - 5:25 p.m.

Saturday, July 23

Qualifying - 1:45 p.m.

Sunday, July 24

3:00 p.m. - Race (160 laps, 400 miles)


Weekend Notebook

- Last season was supposed to be the final season for Gordon, who announced his retirement before the start of the season, but when former teammate Earnhardt Jr. developed concussion-like symptoms, Gordon stepped in to fill his place for at least the next two races. His participation in the race allows for him to remain the only driver to have competed in all 23 events at Indianapolis. Gordon also has five wins at the track.

- Starting position isn't very critical this week, as just three races at Indy have been won from the pole, with the last one being Ryan Newman in 2013. If a driver wants to have the best chance at winning, a top-five starting spot is their best bet, as half of the races have been won from the top-five.

Kevin Harvick drives during last year's race. (Sarah Crabill/NASCAR via Getty Images)
Kevin Harvick drives during last year's race. (Sarah Crabill/NASCAR via Getty Images)

- The track isn't very friendly to first-time drivers, as all seven active winners competed in at least one Sprint Cup event at Indy before getting a win. Newman competed in the most races before a win, as he needed 13 tries to get to victory lane. Only once has a driver posted his first series win at the track, with that being Paul Menard in 2011.

- It is the final Indy race for Tony Stewart, who has two wins and seven top-five finishes at the track. "It’s a big deal to us to win here (at Indianapolis)," Stewart said. "This is an event that I definitely circle on the schedule and emotionally have a lot invested in it. To us, it’s definitely not just another stop that’s on the calendar and on the schedule. You don’t just pull in and say, ‘we’re going to go in, try to win the race and then pull out of here.’ When you’re here, you’re amped up because you’re at Indianapolis."

- The track informally known as the Brickyard has one tradition that no other track has. The winner of each race, as well as their crew members, kiss the line of bricks at the start-finish line. 

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About the author
Stevie Larson
NASCAR Editor, Minnesota sports fan. Contact: [email protected]