The 2026 Brickyard 400 is set to light up the historic Indianapolis Motor Speedway this Sunday, marking the second edition of NASCAR’s In‑Season Challenge tournament. The 160‑lap event will be televised live on TNT, drawing fans from across the United States.
Open Cars Set for Historic Battle at Indianapolis
Among the 38 entries, three cars are classified as open, meaning they are not locked into a charter. These non‑chartered entries add an extra layer of competition, as teams battle for a limited number of spots on the grid.
Beard Motorsports will field the No. 62 Chevrolet for veteran driver Casey Mears, while Live Fast Motorsports has entered the No. 78 Chevrolet driven by Daniel Dye. Both teams are looking to capitalize on the open‑car opportunity to gain valuable stage points.
23XI Racing, co‑owned by Michael Jordan and Denny Hamlin, will run the No. 67 Toyota with Corey Heim at the wheel. Heim, who captured his first Cup‑Series victory at Naval Base Coronado in June, followed that breakthrough with a season‑best ninth place at Chicagoland, a result that would currently rank him 20th in the points standings.
Heim’s performance has earned him a full‑time seat in the 2027 lineup, where he will replace Riley Herbst. His steady points‑per‑race average suggests he could become a regular contender in the coming seasons.
The race will also see the participation of other notable drivers such as Chad Finchum, Anthony Alfredo and Denny Hamlin, while Michael Jordan’s involvement continues to raise the profile of 23XI Racing. With the In‑Season Challenge format awarding extra bonuses, every position on the track carries added significance.