Indianapolis
Overview
Event: Pennzoil 250
Date: Saturday July 20, 2024
Time: 3:30p.m. eastern
Location: Indianapolis Motor Speedway
Layout: 2.5 mile oval
Laps: 100
Miles: 250
Stage Lengths: 30/60/100
TV: USA Network
Radio: Sirius XM Channel 90 and The Indianapolis Motor Speedway Network.
Driver Points: 524, 9th place
Notes:
“We have been a on great roll as a team over the last few weeks,” says Parker. “And now we head to one of my favorite racetracks in the world. Indianapolis means so much to me, because I spent two years racing USAC Midgets in Indiana. I lived two blocks from the speedway, and on my off days, I would go over and simply walk around, go to the museum and sit in the stands dreaming of racing there. So I never take a chance to race at Indy for granted. To me it’s the most important racetrack in the world with its rich, 100 plus year history. I love that we are back on the oval. And with the package we have, it plays right into our strengths. Let’s keep the good times rolling!”
NASCAR Xfinity Series returns to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway (oval)
After tackling the tricky triangle of Pocono Raceway last weekend, the NASCAR Xfinity Series speeds to the ‘Racing Capital of the World’ at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Returning this year is the historic 2.5-mile oval configuration that was used from 2012-2019 in the NASCAR Xfinity Series. During that span, there were five different race winners and three different pole winners.
Additionally, a total of four races were won from the pole or first starting position, with Kyle Busch being the last to do so in 2019.
Busch was dominant during the Xfinity Series’ tenure of running the oval, holding the record in race wins (seven), pole wins (seven), and top-fives (seven).
Paul Menard holds Xfinity Series Indianapolis Motor Speedway record for the most top-10s at the track at six, while seasoned Xfinity Series veteran Jeremy Clements takes the nod for the most starts on the oval with eight - running every race prior to the introduction of road course in 2020.
On-track action kicks off on Friday, beginning with practice at 1:05 p.m. ET. Qualifying will take place on Saturday, July 20, at 12:05 p.m. ET, on the USA Network and streaming on the NBC Sports App.
Justin Allgaier: The sole victor on the Indianapolis oval
Only one driver on Saturday’s entry list that has scored a victory on the oval configuration at Indianapolis Motor Speedway and done the ceremonious kissing of the bricks is Justin Allgaier. Allgaier has made six previous starts at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, earning a win (2018), three top-five and three top-10 finishes during that span. He’ll look to improve on a runner-up finish in 2019 in his seventh outing at the track on Saturday.
Drivers To Watch: Indianapolis Motor Speedway edition
As Justin Allgaier has his sights set on becoming a multi-time winner at the historic Indianapolis Motor Speedway, a plethora of other drivers will look to come away victorious as well.
The most recent driver to win at a returning track on the NASCAR Xfinity Series schedule is Allgaier’s teammate, Sam Mayer. The driver of the No. 1 Chevrolet won in his first start in NASCAR’s return to Iowa Speedway earlier this summer, and he’ll look to carry over that success in his first attempt on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway oval. In 2024, Mayer has accumulated two wins, seven top fives, and 10 top 10s, all of which are career highs up to this point of the season. The 21-year-old will look to tie rookie Shane Van Gisbergen for the most wins this season and increase his Playoff point total with just four races left in the regular season.
After finally securing his first win of the season at Pocono Raceway last weekend, the reigning NASCAR Xfinity Series Champion Cole Custer carries a lot of momentum into a track with remarkably similar characteristics. In three previous starts at Indianapolis Motor Speedway from 2017-2019, Custer garnered one top-five and two top-10 finishes prior to going full-time Cup racing in 2020. Returning to the oval still atop the point standings, the pilot of the No. 00 will hope to make it two wins in row and further legitimize his shot at repeating as champion in 2024.
A winner on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway road course in both the NASCAR Cup Series and Xfinity Series in 2021 and 2022, respectively, a win is certainly due for AJ Allmendinger and the No. 16 team. With numerous starts on the oval configuration across the Cup Series and IndyCar, Allmendinger will certainly be one to watch after a sixth-place outing at Pocono. Sitting fifth in the points standings, he’ll hope to kiss the bricks for a third time on Saturday and lock-in his Playoff bid for good.
Xfinity Series Playoff picture coming into focus following Pocono
With last year’s NASCAR Xfinity Series Champion Cole Custer returning to Victory Lane at Pocono Raceway and earning his first win of the season, only five spots still remain up for grabs in the 12-driver Playoff field, with just seven races left in the regular season.
Seven drivers have now earned themselves a spot in the Playoff grid by virtue of their wins this season; including Shane van Gisbergen, Chandler Smith, Austin Hill, Sam Mayer, Cole Custer, Justin Allgaier, and Jesse Love.
Heading into this weekend, AJ Allmendinger (+98), Riley Herbst (+94), Sheldon Creed (+77), Parker Kligerman (+58), and Sammy Smith (+22) occupy the final five open spots in the Playoff outlook standings. Ryan Sieg (-22), Brandon Jones (-76), and Anthony Alfredo (-95) currently stand as the first three drivers below the Playoff cut line.
Currently, there are five former NASCAR Xfinity Series Playoff drivers below the postseason cut line heading into Indianapolis; including Ryan Sieg, Brandon Jones, Brennan Poole, Jeb Burton and Jeremy Clements. Brandon Jones has made the Xfinity Playoffs six times in his career, second-most in series history (2022, '21, '20, '19, '18, '16). He also has four starts at the 2.5-mile oval at Indianapolis with four top-10 finishes to go along with – the most among active drivers this weekend.
Josh Berry to make second Xfinity start of the season – NASCAR Cup Series driver Josh Berry will make his second NASCAR Xfinity Series start of 2024 this weekend at Indianapolis Motor Speedway driving the No. 15. The five-time career race winner made his official return to the series last weekend at Pocono Raceway, placing 27th. Having never ran at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway oval configuration prior to this weekend, Berry will look to improve on his previous outing at a brand-new track for the 33-year-old.
Carson Kvapil makes his sixth Xfinity start of 2024 – Carson Kvapil will pilot the No. 88 once more this weekend at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. It will be his sixth start of the season. In his previous five starts, he has put up three top fives, three top 10s, 38 laps led, and an average finish of 8.4. The 2.5-mile oval of Indianapolis Motor Speedway will mark the largest track Kvapil has ever run on to this point in his career. Confirmed remaining race dates for the 21-year-old second generation driver in the Xfinity Series include Michigan, Darlington, and Talladega.