The NASCAR weekend at Indianapolis Motor Speedway is shaping up to be one of the busiest in recent memory, with the Cup Series, the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series, and the CRAFTSMAN Truck Series all scheduled to run their respective events across the iconic 2.5‑mile oval and the nearby Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park.
A packed schedule across three series
Fans can look forward to a full slate of on‑track action: the CRAFTSMAN Truck Series TSPORT 200 kicks off on Friday at 8:00 p.m. on FS1, followed by the O’Reilly Auto Parts Pennzoil 250 on Saturday at 4:00 p.m. on the CW Network, and culminating with the Brickyard 400 on Sunday at 2:00 p.m. on TNT Sports. Practice and qualifying sessions are spread throughout the weekend, giving teams ample time to fine‑tune setups before race day.
Drivers to watch
Among the drivers generating the most buzz are Denny Hamlin, who tops the active list with seven Crown Jewel victories, Kyle Larson, Christopher Bell, and Bubba Wallace. Wallace captured the 2025 Brickyard 400, Larson won the 2024 edition, and Bell has finished 12th or better in all three of his Brickyard starts. Brad Keselowski, the 2018 Brickyard winner, joins a short list of entrants with prior oval success at the track, alongside Ty Majeski, Layne Riggs, and Conor Daly in the No. 25 RAM All‑Star Truck.
Broadcast and fan festivities
The weekend’s fan experience includes a hauler parade that traditionally opens Brickyard weekend on Thursday, July 23, offering a colorful preview of the competing teams. Television coverage will be split among FS1, the CW Network, and TNT Sports, ensuring broad accessibility for viewers across the United States.
Chase outlook and historic context
With five races remaining before the Chase, the Indianapolis event carries added significance for playoff positioning. Recent Brickyard 400s have often stretched into overtime, with the last three editions ending under green‑white‑checkered conditions. Historically, six of the past eight Brickyard races have gone to overtime, underscoring the track’s unpredictable nature.
Team and entry highlights
Justin Allgaier, the 2018 winner, remains the only past Brickyard victor still entered, while Chase Elliott returns to JR Motorsports’ No. 88 and Ross Chastain will pilot the No. 9 for the same organization. JR Motorsports has enjoyed a streak of 78 consecutive races with at least one car in the Top 10, a testament to the team’s consistent performance. The upcoming race also marks the 16th CRAFTSMAN Truck Series event of the season, with three races left before the series’ own playoff push.
The combination of historic precedents, competitive driver fields, and a packed weekend schedule promises a compelling showcase of NASCAR’s blend of speed, strategy, and spectacle at Indianapolis.