NASCAR Cup Series Brickyard 400: Preview, Predictions & How to Watch

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The Brickyard 400 returns for the first time since 2020 on Sunday, setting the stage for a pivotal race amid the playoff bubble battle. Stars Kyle Larson, Denny Hamlin and Ryan Blaney will look to add a crown jewel to their resumes, while Ross Chastain and Bubba Wallace continue to fight for the final spot in the 16-driver playoff bracket.

The Track – Indianapolis Motor Speedway

The 2.5-mile Indianapolis Motor Speedway remains one of the most iconic sporting venues in the world. Originally paved with brick, only a single strip of brick remains at the start/finish line, the namesake of the “Brickyard 400.” The Cup Series hasn’t raced at the IMS oval since 2020, and Sunday’s race will be the first at the oval with the Next-Gen car. There’s a lot of intrigue surrounding the race, and for good reason: Sunday’s racing product could determine the future of NASCAR’s use of the track going forward.

Current NASCAR Cup Series Standings:

Regular season championship:

  1. Elliott Chase, 703
  2. Kyle Larson, 700 (-3)
  3. Tyler Reddick, 688 (-15)
  4. Denny Hamlin, 683 (-20)
  5. William Byron, 646 (-57)

Both Elliott and Larson were eliminated from the race for the win by speeding penalties at Pocono, but still managed to fight their way back into the top 15. Meanwhile, top-six efforts from Denny Hamlin and Tyler Reddick put them in contention for the regular-season title, while William Byron lurks in the shadows as the top four suffer misfortune.

Playoff standings:

13. Martin Truex Jr. (+137)

14. Ty Gibbs (+67)

15. Chris Buescher (+44)

16. Ross Chastain (+27)

17. Bubba Wallace (-27)

18. Chase Briscoe (-75)

19. Kyle Busch (-102)

20. Todd Gilliland (-127)

Don’t write off Bubba Wallace just yet. Three straight top-13 finishes have the Mobile, Alabama native firmly back in contention for the playoffs. On the other end of the spectrum is Ross Chastain, who is now on the bubble after a crash at Pocono. Anyone below Wallace will likely need a win to make the playoffs, but don’t write off Kyle Busch just yet – with a 19-year winning streak and a playoff spot on the line, one vintage KFB race is all it takes for the No. 8 driver to get back into contention.

Brickyard 400 Preview:

Tyler Reddick has been the fastest man in Indiana so far, topping the practice and qualifying charts at IMS. In a race where track position is crucial, starting up front and having a car good enough to stay there could be the catalyst for Reddick’s second win of 2024. His team owner, Denny Hamlin, will start opposite him on the front row, and with Indianapolis being the one crown jewel race missing from Hamlin’s collection, Indianapolis could set the stage for a classic Toyota battle.

The Hendrick trio of Chase Elliott, William Byron and Kyle Larson could have something to say about that, as the three drivers start third, fourth and fifth respectively.

Ford’s best chance to take a win at the Brickyard is Pocono winner Ryan Blaney, who will start higher than any other Ford driver on Sunday.

How to watch the Brickyard 400 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway:

Coverage of Sunday’s race begins at 2 p.m. ET on NBC, with the green flag flying shortly after 2:30 p.m. MRN coverage begins at 1:30 p.m. ET, while SiriusXM NASCAR Radio will also have coverage of the race.

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