From a NASCAR Fan’s View
So… this time NASCAR goes back to racing at the Brickyard on the oval. Personally, I think it’s about time. Not that I didn’t like the road course but, when I think of Indy I think of the of the oval track, not the road course. I guess what I’m trying to make a point of here is that I’ve missed the regular track at Indy. The road course is a relatively new thing as far as the racing goes at Indy and it does have its place but, since I grew up with the Indy 500 and then the addition of the NASCAR races there, I think I’m just more partial to the oval track than the road course.
Of course, the reason it got its name is long gone but it was because it was made of bricks. At least they did preserve a part of the legacy of the track by having the yard of bricks at the start/finish line. Another tradition of the Brickyard is the winning team and driver “kissing the bricks” and that was started years ago by Dale Jarret’s team when they won their first race at Indy. They did it because they wanted to do something different “IF” they won and now, even though many drivers have some way of celebrating a win at Indy, they all still want to kiss the bricks, too.
I’m sure the tradition will continue by the winning team and driver today but the big question is which of the drivers and teams will take the win. The competition is pretty tight and there is a lot riding on every race over the next few weeks and there are several that need a win to make the playoffs. From my view, that means this race might be even more intense than it would normally be.
Wait a minute! Did I just say “might be” more intense? I think that would probably be one of my biggest understatements of the season.
Taking a look at the starting lineup shows a lot of strong cars in the top eight in particular. There is no doubt in anyone’s mind that I know of that Tyler Reddick has dominated so far this weekend. He showed a lot of speed in practice and won the pole for the start of the Brickyard 400 in qualifying. His team’s co-owner, Denny Hamlin, is the person he beat out for that pole. Even though Denny would have liked to have won the pole for this one, I don’t think he is all that disappointed his 23XI driver took it from him. Besides, he is starting on the front row as well.
Though those two Toyotas qualified with the fastest two speeds and start on the front row, there is a lot of heat following them in the six cars starting behind them. Three of the four Hendrick teams qualified third, fourth and fifth respectively and with very fast Chevys, too. Chase Elliott, William Byron and Kyle Larson are those three and they could put the heat on those two Toyotas as the race goes on.
Let’s see… so far I’ve mentioned five drivers stating up front with fast cars and any one of them could end up in Victory Lane but, there is more to the story than that.
Ty Gibbs is still looking for his first Cup victory and he starts a strong sixth. Ryan Blaney and Michael McDowell round out those top eight I mentioned. Any one of these will be pressing those starting ahead of them right up until the very end but, that isn’t the end of the story either.
As I mentioned earlier, there is a tight race going on for qualifying for the playoffs and not all of it is because of the points. Even though Martin Truex Jr. has a true advantage with points, he will have to start in the rear and serve a pass through penalty right at the start of this one. That could affect his entire race and points by the end of the day. He still wouldn’t be in trouble points-wise even if he finished last today but it would take from his present points advantage over others. My thinking is he will do everything possible to move toward the front and maybe even finish in the top five or even win. But, he could also have a bad day as well.
The real intensity and struggle is between those with no wins and either just in the top sixteen or just outside. All of that is going to add to the intensity and emotions of the race today and, though I expect someone in the top eight to come away with the win, this is one of those races that just about anything can happen be the end of 400 miles. The track is tight, the cars are fast and there is at least some feeling of desperation in the air. There could be a totally unexpected winner which could really shake things up for the playoff picture and all it takes is for someone on the outside looking in to win and put one of those with no wins and near or on the bubble out.
Any way you look at it, the Brickyard 400 is going to be intense…
Hey, this is Russ and that’s my view… See ya next time…
All views expressed are strictly the opinion of the writer
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