Joey Logano dominated last time out as the #22 powered to Victory Lane at North Wilkesboro. The win marked the second straight for Penske Motorsports, an organization that has struggled to show speed at times this season. The Penske Fords will look to keep that momentum going as NASCAR heads to hallowed ground for the 2026 Brickyard 400.
With the race for the chase heating up and the finale of the In-Season Challenge looming, we have plenty to talk about at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Let’s dive in!
2026 Brickyard 400 Entry List
Three non-charter entries in the field this weekend bring the field to 39 for Sunday’s race. Casey Mears will pilot the #62 for Beard Motorsports, Corey Heim will be behind the wheel of the #67 for 23XI, and Daniel Dye will drive the #78 for Live Fast Motorsports.
Around here, we've been kissin' bricks since '96.
— Indianapolis Motor Speedway (@IMS) July 21, 2026
To anyone who dreams of winning the Brickyard 400 presented by @PPG – we have just one thing to say: Pucker up. 😘🧱
🗣️ Dale Jarrett pic.twitter.com/33y3Gn1Pn7
The Brickyard 400 marks the finale of NASCAR’s In-Season Challenge, as Ryan Blaney goes head-to-head with Todd Gilliland for the prize. The highest finisher among the two will be crowned NASCAR’s second In-Season Challenge winner.
Indianapolis is unique among the circuits NASCAR travels to as the 2.5-mile quad oval is relatively flat in the corners compared to other tracks. Fuel mileage will likely play a role, as will the draft on the long straights. The corners get extremely tight as drivers battle for position, and late-race restarts have a tendency to be chaotic.
Post-Season Picture
With just five races left in the NASCAR regular season, the race for the final spots in the Chase has heated up. As a reminder, wins no longer guarantee a spot in the post-season. Instead, positions in the Chase are determined solely on points. Here are the current standings headed into Indianapolis:
- Denny Hamlin
- Tyler Reddick -68
- Ryan Blaney -87
- Ty Gibbs -134
- Chase Elliott -208
- Kyle Larson -226
- Carson Hocevar -244
- Chase Briscoe -255
- Chris Buescher -257
- Christopher Bell -268
- Daniel Suarez -284
- William Byron -296
- Bubba Wallace -311
- Shane Van Gisbergen -326
- Joey Logano -331
- Austin Cindric -347
- Erik Jones -380 (33 points below cut line)
- Ryan Preece -395 (48 points below cut line)
- Brad Keselowski -405 (58 points below cut line)
- Michael McDowell -430 (83 points below cut line)
- Ross Chastain -430 (83 points below cut line)
- AJ Allmendinger -445 (98 points below cut line)
As things currently stand, Austin Cindric is the last driver qualifying for the Chase. However, we’ve seen some great runs out of Erik Jones during this season, and both Ryan Preece and Brad Keselowski are within striking distance. I also wouldn’t be surprised if Shane Van Gisbergen fell below the cut line. Though the driver of the #97 has drastically improved on ovals, road courses remain his comfort zone, and there are none left on the NASCAR schedule.
With a small amount of points separating the field near the cut line, I expect some dramatic changes in the coming weeks.
2026 Brickyard 400 Race Predictions
Last time NASCAR came to the Brickyard, Bubba Wallace held off Kyle Larson late in the race to claim the checkered flag. I’d expect Wallace and his 23XI teammate Tyler Reddick to factor into the equation, as will Larson.
In fact, Kyle Larson has been a force here at the Brickyard since NASCAR returned to the oval. Larson finished second to Wallace last year and won the race back in 2024.
Hammer down in the Hoosier State!#BuschLightPole qualifying is live from @IMS on @truTV. pic.twitter.com/E1ClXNGtBx
— NASCAR (@NASCAR) July 25, 2026
Of course, given Denny Hamlin’s form this season, we have to touch on the #11 for this race. Hamlin has never won at the Brickyard, but there are some similarities with Pocono, where Hamlin has always been a force.
However, I’m going to the well for my race pick this weekend. Though Blaney wasn’t able to get it done last week at North Wilkesboro, I think he takes the #12 to Victory Lane at the Brickyard after coming very close back in 2024.
Check out the schedule below so you don’t miss any on-track action this week!
Saturday 07/25
Pennzoil 250 Presented by Take 5 Oil Change (NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series) – 3:00 p.m. CT on the CW
Sunday 07/26
Brickyard 400 (NASCAR Cup Series) – 1:00 p.m. CT on TNT Sports and HBO Max
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