Qualifying outlook
The Brickyard 400’s qualifying session is scheduled for Saturday at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, and the forecast calls for only a slight chance of rain. With the track’s historic layout and the 2.5‑mile oval’s demanding corners, teams are eager to lock in their starting positions before the Sunday race.
NASCAR will use its current qualifying metric, which weighs 30 percent on owner standings and 70 percent on the most recent race result, to determine the order in which drivers take their single‑lap attempts. The system, introduced in 2025, replaced the more complex formula that was used from 2020 through 2024.
Three open‑car entries have been added to the event’s lineup. Casey Mears will drive the No. 62 Beard Motorsports Chevrolet, Corey Heim will pilot the No. 67 23XI Racing Toyota, and Daniel Dye will be behind the wheel of the No. 78 Live Fast Motorsports Chevrolet. All three are confirmed to compete in the 160‑lap race on Sunday, July 26.
The qualifying order will be led by those open cars, reflecting the series’ emphasis on rewarding recent performance while still giving weight to team owner rankings. The full field will be limited to a single round, with each driver allowed only one lap to set a time.
Broadcast and stakes
Live coverage of the Brickyard 400 will begin at 2:00 p.m. Eastern Time on TNT, providing fans with a direct feed of the action from the historic Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The race forms part of NASCAR’s second annual In‑Season Challenge, adding an extra layer of points and prestige to the weekend’s events.
While the open entries are locked into the race, the entry list also notes that the No. 66 Garage 66 Ford, which competed at North Wilkesboro Speedway earlier in the season, will not be present at Indianapolis. The Brickyard 400 therefore showcases a blend of established teams and fresh talent, all converging on the iconic 2.5‑mile circuit.