On Sunday, July 26, 2026, the NASCAR Cup Series returned to the historic 2.5‑mile oval of Indianapolis Motor Speedway for the Brickyard 400, marking the first race on the track since 2020.
Passing Pain at the Brickyard
Drivers found it nearly impossible to make passes for the lead, a problem they traced directly to the aerodynamic package of the Next Gen car, which has been a focal point of recent controversy.
Joey Logano, who ran a faster car in the final laps, said an Xfinity‑series vehicle might solve the passing issue, highlighting the stark performance gap between the two divisions.
Denny Hamlin echoed the sentiment, noting that while passing has historically been difficult at Indy, the current obstacle is the car itself, not the track layout, and he called for collaboration with NASCAR’s competition committee to adjust the machinery.
A Call for More Engaging Racing
Carson Hocevar took the critique further, comparing today’s NASCAR product to a 2000 Talladega race and arguing that casual fans crave visual excitement, fearing they are simply wasting their time on uninspired events.
The drivers’ remarks suggest that upcoming rule changes could focus on refining the car’s aerodynamic behavior to restore competitive draft racing, a move that would align with NASCAR’s long‑standing goal of enhancing on‑track battles.