The has 6 races left within the common season. It’s time to actually put the steel to the pedal to safe a well-placed beginning spot within the chase. That may start this weekend on the Brickyard 400 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
The Racing Capital of the World will host its third-straight race on the two.5-mile oval since its 2024 return. The defending race winner from 2025 is of 23XI Racing. The present betting favourite, pre-practice and qualifying, is .
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Indianapolis Motor Speedway is a high-speed monitor. It’s 2.5 miles lengthy and utterly flat, even within the turns. Passing can be performed within the draft, which could be very evident within the lengthy stretch runs. In flip, the chief will generally serve within the stretches to push soiled air onto the trailing automotive.
It’s typically stated that you simply wish to be in 2nd place on the white flag lap, not first, because of the momentum that may be gained in that draft. Although a unique racing sequence, the 2024 Indy 500 reveals a primary instance of that, the place Josef Newgarden handed Pato O’Ward for the win.
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Understanding the monitor and its key successful elements, a Fantasy NASCAR evaluation could be introduced ahead. Give attention to these names at price.
High Picks
Denny Hamlin at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. (Photograph by Jeffrey Brown/Icon Sportswire by way of Getty Pictures)Photograph by Jeffrey Brown/Icon Sportswire by way of Getty Pictures)
Denny Hamlin, No. 11 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota
Again in 2025, Hamlin had a rocket ship throughout qualifying. His automotive was far into the inexperienced on his lap, however sadly,
Hamlin has had the quickest automotive within the Cup Collection over the previous two months, successful 4 races since Memorial Day Weekend. Understanding that his crew had the right bundle for IMS in 2025, they should convey the quickest automotive this week.
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Tyler Reddick, No. 45 23XI Racing ToyotaMid-Tier PicksWilliam Byron, No. 24 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet
As seen above, Byron was quick at Pocono. That implies his bundle can be well-placed for a superb consequence at Indy. Byron might have struggled early on on this season, however his final 5 oval races characteristic a median end of 9.0. Within the NextGen period, Byron has a median qualifying results of fifth at this monitor.
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Bubba Wallace, No. 23 23XI Racing Toyota
Wallace is the Seventh-highest priced driver this weekend. He’s a high-end mid-tier choose, however one very price utilizing. Wallace gained this race in 2025.
If any monitor outdoors of Pocono interprets to Indy, it’s Michigan. That’s among the many highest-speed tracks with out the massive draft that Daytona and Talladega create. The draft at Michigan, very similar to Indy, is in working proper behind one other automotive, however not in a multi-car lane.
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Anyway, Michigan noticed its in 2026. The Toyota crew continues to have probably the most dominant aerodynamic bundle, having gained 14 races this season, or over 60%.
Longshot PickErik Jones, No. 43 Legacy Motor Membership Toyota
Staying on the Toyota theme, Jones actually has racing-winning upside. The Legacy Motor Membership crew flashed elite pace each at Pocono and Michigan. Jones completed 2nd at Michigan and sixth at Pocono.
This story was initially revealed by on Jul 23, 2026, the place it first appeared within the part. Add Athlon Sports activities as a
