NASCAR Cup - Indianapolis

The NASCAR Cup Series returns to Indianapolis Motor Speedway for the Brickyard 400 presented by PPG. This prestigious race brings stock car racing back to one of motorsports' most famous venues. Indianapolis Motor Speedway hosts this 400-mile competition on its legendary 2.5-mile oval circuit. Fans can witness 160 laps of intense racing action at this historic facility in Speedway, Indiana.

About the Brickyard 400

The Brickyard 400 covers 400 miles across 160 laps of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway oval. The race features three stages to keep competition fierce throughout the event. Stage 1 and Stage 2 each run for 50 laps, while the final stage extends to 60 laps. This format creates multiple opportunities for strategy and position changes during the race.

The event spans a full weekend of NASCAR action. Practice sessions allow teams to fine-tune their setups for the unique characteristics of Indianapolis. Qualifying determines the starting grid for the Cup Series race. The O'Reilly Auto Parts Series Pennzoil 250 provides additional racing entertainment before the main event.

Indianapolis Motor Speedway Circuit

Indianapolis Motor Speedway stands as the largest sports venue in the world. The facility opened in 1909 and has hosted countless memorable races since then. The oval track measures 2.5 miles in length and features four turns. The asphalt surface demands precision from drivers as they navigate the high-speed corners.

The venue accommodates over 250,000 spectators, creating an atmosphere unlike any other racing facility. The sheer size of the grandstands and the roar of engines combine to make Indianapolis Motor Speedway a bucket-list destination for racing fans. The track's banking and wide racing surface allow for multiple racing lines and passing opportunities.

Teams and Competitors

The 2026 season brings changes to the NASCAR Cup Series garage. Haas Factory Team switches from Ford to Chevrolet and establishes a technical alliance with Hendrick Motorsports. Rick Ware Racing also moves to Chevrolet and forms a technical partnership with Richard Childress Racing. These manufacturer changes could reshape the competitive balance.

Kyle Larson enters the season as the defending Cup Series champion. The full field of drivers will compete for victory at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, each seeking to add their name to the list of Brickyard 400 winners. The PPG Trophy awaits the champion, and their name will be inscribed alongside previous winners at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum.

Technical Specifications

NASCAR Cup Series cars competing at Indianapolis Motor Speedway utilize 670 horsepower engines. The sanctioning body maintains this power level for tracks measuring 1.5 miles or longer. Other tracks receive an increase to 750 horsepower, but Indianapolis keeps its established power configuration.

Safety improvements mark the 2026 season across all tracks. A-post flaps become mandatory on every car to prevent vehicles from becoming airborne during spins. The surface underneath each flap must display bright orange coloring for visibility. Chevrolet introduces a new body style for the ZL1, based on the Camaro ZL1 Carbon Performance Package accessories kit.

Race History and Tradition

The Brickyard 400 debuted in 1994 as the first race other than the Indianapolis 500 held at the track since 1916. Jeff Gordon claimed victory in that inaugural event, which drew over 250,000 spectators and became NASCAR's most-attended race. The event immediately established itself as a crown jewel on the Cup Series schedule.

Indianapolis Motor Speedway hosted the first Indianapolis 500 in 1911, beginning a tradition of racing excellence that spans more than a century. The facility served as a high-speed aviation training ground during World War II. Formula One competed at Indianapolis from 2000 to 2007, adding to the track's diverse racing heritage.

The Brickyard 400 ran on the 2.5-mile oval from its inception through 2020. NASCAR experimented with the road course configuration from 2021 to 2023, running the Verizon 200. The race returned to the oval layout in 2024, restoring the traditional format that fans associate with this event.

What Makes This Event Special

Indianapolis Motor Speedway carries a mystique that few racing venues can match. Winners of major races at this facility join an exclusive club of champions who conquered one of motorsports' greatest challenges. The track's history and scale create an atmosphere that resonates with competitors and spectators alike.

The venue's connection to American racing culture runs deep. The Indianapolis 500 winner traditionally receives a "Milk Bottle" trophy, and Brickyard 400 champions earn their place in the facility's storied legacy. The Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum preserves racing history and showcases the PPG Trophy bearing the names of past Brickyard 400 winners.

The 2026 NASCAR Cup Series race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway promises another chapter in this venue's remarkable story. Stock car racing at this historic oval combines speed, strategy, and skill. Fans attending or following the race will witness drivers pushing their limits at one of racing's most significant locations.