The NASCAR Sprint Cup Series will showcase its combination of speed and skill this weekend in the 23rd running of the Crown Royal Presents the Combat Wounded Coalition 400 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The event in the racing enthusiasts’s world is commonly referred to as The Brickyard 400.
Capturing a win at Indianapolis Motor Speedway is a very cherished accomplishment. The venue is shrouded in motor-sports history. Most insiders and fans alike consider this event the second most prestigious on the Sprint Cup Series schedule. Obviously, it falls just a little short of the famed Daytona 500.
The Indianapolis Motor Speedway is a particular race track. It is mostly flat and modeled much like a square with rounded corners instead of the conventional ovals the racers are used to driving on. Setting up a car at the Brickyard can be challenging to the drivers and crew chiefs alike. All four of the hallowed venue’s turns have different characteristics and the preferred racing line is constricted. Extremely hot weather is in the forecast for the race as well and that could be a huge factor.
After this weekend’s race another driver will be enshrined in the annuls at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Here are four drivers to keep an eye out for on Sunday. Each speedster provides a unique driving style that could place him out front when the checkered flag is waved.
Matt Kenseth:
Joe Gibbs Racing’s Matt Kenseth has accomplished about everything a driver could in the Sprint Cup Series. The well-oiled veteran has claimed victory at the Daytona 500 and the Southern 500 in Darlington, S.C. Furthermore, he has won the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway. There is one trophy that has escaped his grasps. The win is here at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in the Brickyard 400.
Matt Kenseth comes into the Brickyard 400 with momentum on his side. He just piloted his #20 Dollar General Toyota to Victory Lane at last weeks event in New Hampshire.riding a hot streak capped off by his victory at New Hampshire. New Hampshire’s track is similar to Indianapolis Motor Speedways in one glaring way. Even though the distance around the two raceways is different, both are flat and that bodes well for Kenseth.
The former NASCAR Sprint Cup champion’s best finish at Indy has been second. Furthermore, he has seven top five’s and ten top ten results. Matt Kenseth has secured himself in the Chase with his recent victories. As a result, Kenseth and his team are free to focus on doing whatever needs to be done to reel in that elusive victory at Indy.
Anytime you win at this level it’s special, but some accomplishments stand-out a little more than others. A win in the Brickyard would be on the top of that list for Matt Kenseth. Keep a close watch for Matt Kenseth and the #20 Dollar General team to be in contention on Sunday in the Brickyard 400.
Kevin Harvick:
Stewart-Haas Racing’s Kevin Harvick has been freaky fast in every race, but something keeps occurring every week that prevents stop him from piling up victories. For example, in last week’s race it was mistakes on pit road that might have cost the savvy driver a win. Other times it has been fuel mileage or wrong adjustments to his hot-rod. He hopes to put all that behind him for Sunday’s Brickyard 400 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
Kevin Harvick won this contest back in 2003 with Richard Childress Racing. He also has two top ten finishes in the last two seasons with Stewart-Haas Racing. If Harvick cannot find the speed he needs this weekend he can’t blame the car he will be unloading. This hot-rod has accumulated his lone win, and three second place tallies. The #4 Freaky Fast Jimmy John’s team needs to put together a complete performance when it matters most. After the vocal driver’s outburst over last week’s problems, I expect them bring their A-game to Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
Jeff Gordon:
The whole NASCAR world will have their eyes fixed on racing legend Jeff Gordon. Gordon will not be driving his famed #24 Rainbow Warrior hot-rod. The Indy track specialist will be buckled up behind the wheel of NASCAR’s most beloved driver, Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s #88 Chevrolet.
Jeff Gordon is coming out of his retirement to race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. He will be filling in for Dale Earnhardt, Jr. who will miss his second race due to a concussion. Even without competing in series this year, Gordon will be a favorite heading into this weekend.
The future Hall of Famer has a record of five wins in the Brickyard 400, including the inaugural race in 2004. Furthermore, his last win here came just two years ago. A big question will be how well Gordon can work with the #88 crew chief Greg Ives? The thing that bodes well for the #88 Nationwide team is the automobile they will be fielding in the race. It is the same hot-rod that Dale Jr. took second in at Pocono earlier this year. Pocono Raceway and Indianapolis Motor Speedway both have long runs that conclude into flat corners. If Jeff Gordon and his new team can come together over the days prior to the race, he could surely win it all on Sunday.
