Not much has changed in the playoff picture after Chris Buescher won his second straight race. This time the Texas native claimed victory in the FireKeepers Casino 400 at Michigan. Now, headed into the Verizon 200 at the Brickyard, we’ll see if the playoff field continues to stay steady or if a new name can shake things up.
Speaking of new names, the entry list for this weekend at Indianapolis sees some new faces from, around the world of racing. Shane Van Gisbergen returns to NASCAR after shocking the world with his Chicago Street Circuit victory in his first-ever start. Former Formula 1 champ Jenson Button will also return to attempt a NASCAR race.
Joining SVG from the Supercars ranks, Brodie Kostecki makes his NASCAR debut this weekend for Richard Childress Racing. Road course ringers and multi-time NASCAR starters Andy Lally and Mike Rockenfeller will be in the #51 and #42 cars respectively. Finally, long-time Toyota driver and racing phenomenon Kamui Kobayashi makes his NASCAR debut for 23XI Racing in the #67. The full entry list can be found below.
Entry List
NASCAR’s best will also be attempting to win on Sunday, including Chase Elliott. Elliott needs a victory if he hopes to make it to the NASCAR postseason and happens to be one of the series’ best road course drivers.
AJ Allmendinger sits just outside of the playoffs but also usually plays a major role in road course races. In fact, AJ won the inaugural Indianapolis Motor Speedway road course race.
So who ends up taking the checkered flag on Sunday for the Verizon 200? Truthfully, I’m not sure. The conclusions to the last two IMS Road Course races have been incredibly unpredictable. However, I think last year’s winner Tyler Reddick has a great chance to repeat here at Indy.
Reddick won earlier this year at Circuit of the Americas and looks to be a fantastic road course driver in the Cup series in his own right. This race is sure to be competitive with drivers like Elliott, Allmendinger, and Daniel Suarez all looking to possibly win and punch their ticket to the NASCAR playoffs. You won’t want to miss it.
Get a look at the schedule for the weekend below so you don’t miss any on-track action. While Cup and Xfinity are at IMS, the trucks will be at the short track at Indianapolis Raceway Park. In fact, SVG will get his first NASCAR oval experience there as he looks to make the transition to NASCAR full-time.
Friday 08/11
NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Qualifying (IRP) – 3:05 p.m. CT on FS1
Reese’s 200 (ARCA Menards Series – IRP) – 5:00 p.m. CT on FS1
TSport 200 (NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series – IRP) – 8:00 p.m. CT on FS1
Saturday 08/12
NASCAR Xfinity Series Qualifying (IMS Road Course) – 9:05 a.m. on NBC Sports Streaming
NASCAR Cup Series Qualifying (IMS Road Course) – 11:35 a.m. on NBC Sports Streaming
Pennzoil 150 at the Brickyard (NASCAR Xfinity Series – IMS Road Course) – 4:30 p.m. on USA
Sunday 08/13
Verizon 200 at the Brickyard (NASCAR Cup Series – IMS Road Course) – 1:30 p.m. on NBC
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