Brickyard 400
Sunday, July 27, 2025
2:00 PM EST
Indianapolis Motor Speedway
Speedway, IN
NASCAR returns to the iconic yard of bricks after a visit to Dover Motor Speedway. The legendary Indianapolis Motor Speedway will host the renowned Brickyard 400 this weekend. As one of the most recognizable tracks in motorsport, this marks the second consecutive season of NASCAR racing here since 2020. The interval since 2020 saw NASCAR on the Grand Prix layout, but the historic four-turn oval is back on the calendar.
This circuit features notably flat banking across its entirety, creating a rectangular oval layout. The corners boast banking angles between 9 to 12 degrees, while the straightaways remain completely flat. The track’s sensitivity to temperature changes means teams must adjust their cars to adapt to fluctuating conditions. Fortunately, Goodyear’s tires generally perform well, leading to lower tire wear this weekend. The 400-mile race is likely to see extended green-flag periods, making fuel mileage strategy a critical factor that could influence race outcomes.
This track is truly one-of-a-kind, making direct comparisons to other circuits quite challenging. Pocono Raceway offers the closest resemblance, so drivers who performed well there may carry that success into Indianapolis. Notable competitors with a strong history at Indy include Kyle Busch, Tyler Reddick, Kyle Larson, and Denny Hamlin. Watch for these drivers to excel this weekend.
EchoPark Automotive 400 Recap
In a rain-affected race that featured a 56-minute red flag, Denny Hamlin triumphed over Chase Briscoe in a thrilling double overtime finish at Dover Raceway. Following two overtime restarts, Hamlin outpaced his new teammate Briscoe, who had fresher tires. This victory marked Hamlin’s second consecutive win at this venue and fourth of the current season. With a remarkable performance featuring four wins and 10 top 5 finishes, Hamlin continues to impress. Despite Briscoe’s aggressive push in the final laps, which included some contact, Hamlin managed to secure victory by a narrow margin of 0.310 seconds, becoming only the 13th driver in Dover history to achieve back-to-back wins.
NASCAR Playoff Standings
As the season progresses, Denny Hamlin leads the standings with four wins and 663 points. Close behind is Kyle Larson with three wins and 664 points. Christopher Bell occupies the third position with 635 points, three wins, and eight top 5 finishes. Rounding out the top five in the playoff standings are Shane van Gisbergen (three wins) and Chase Elliott (one win) with 374 points and 702 points, respectively.
Brickyard 400 Odds
Denny Hamlin – +440
Kyle Larson – +550
Ryan Blaney – +700
Tyler Reddick – +1000
Chase Elliott – +1000
William Byron – +1000
Christopher Bell – +1200
Chris Buescher – +1200
Chase Briscoe – +1300
Ty Gibbs – +1900
Brad Keselowski – +2100
Joey Logano – +2700
Carson Hocevar – +2900
Bubba Wallace – +3100
Alex Bowman – +3200
Ross Chastain – +3200
Kyle Busch – +4000
Josh Berry – +5000
While it may be challenging to pick an underdog who has yet to secure a win at Indy, Denny Hamlin’s remarkable season and recent victory position him as a strong contender. His runner-up finish at Pocono, the only comparable track to Indy, further enhances his chances. Riding the momentum, expect Hamlin to sustain his winning performance this weekend.
Tony’s Pick: Back Denny Hamlin (+440)
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