2017 NASCAR Week 20: Indianapolis

Brickyard 400

Indianapolis Motor Speedway

By Richard Tix

What to Watch For?

Can Kyle Busch Go Back to Back to Back?

• Kyle Busch had four wins last year and five wins in 2015. I don't have to tell you that Kyle doesn't have a win yet this year. So, what am I getting at? What I want to note here is his last win at the Cup level was last season at IMS. I want to make a second note that in the last two years the only win he has had after IMS is Homestead in 2015 (which made him a Cup Champion). Heck, 9 of his 10 total wins since Atlanta Motor Speedway in 2013 (after IMS) were at IMS or before in that given season (2014, 2015, and 2016). So, its now or never for Kyle to get a win in 2017... Ok, I am just kidding about that, but it is worth watching to see if he can get three straight at IMS this weekend with how fast he has been here lately AND if he will win again after IMS for the first time since 2013.

Will a Surprise Winner Please Stand Up?

• It's not just that Paul Menard won here in 2011, but also that Jamie McMurray did it here the year before. Add in Ryan Newman in 2013 and Jeff Gordon's final win and you can see why it could be unpredictable. It isn't crazy to think that if Kyle Busch doesn't get it done for a third straight time that someone else doesn't win on fuel mileage or a bold late race call. The odd's are against someone considered a "surprise" to win, but it isn't out of the question and that is a crazy thought for race No. 20 and its implications going forward as things heat up.

Wednesday Action at Eldora

• Short and sweet, on a weekend that will be full of track "action" at IMS, getting your entertainment on Wednesday night is the best way to get your racing fill this week. Heck, watch Eldora on Wed. and head to a local track on Saturday! In all honesty it will be interesting to see how IMS goes this year because the interest seems to be waning in NASCAR, which is evident by them moving it to the 26th race in 2018 and trying to juice back up it's importance. But what needs no extra hyping is the Truck Series on dirt mid week, so look for Fox Business on your TV listing and settle in mid week for some fun racing.

**This section is just a quick look at some of Cup drivers latest finishes. This is not a tool for fantasy purposes and NBTW only is looking at end results. No deep statistic's are involved, but rather it is just a quick way to get ready for the race and get caught up on who has finished well at each track**

The Good

• Kyle Busch- Not much needs to be said here, Rowdy has won and kissed the bricks the last two years. He also has seven straight top tens at IMS.
• Kyle Larson- Small sample size alert, but Larson has three top ten's in three career Cup starts here including a top five last year.
• Jimmie Johnson- Want to bet on someone not named Kyle to win IMS? Well, JJ might be your guy with four career Brickyard wins.

The Middle

• Brad Keselowski- In seven starts BK has just three top tens, but six finishes inside the top 20, and all seven were 21st or better. 

The Bad

• Kurt Busch- Unlike his brother, Kurt has yet to win at IMS. In fact, Kurt only has one top five in 16 starts here and only five top tens (only two in his last 12).
• Kasey Kahne- In his last seven Kahne has two top tens, which isn't ideal.
• Trevor Bayne- In six career starts Trevor has one lone top 20 (17th) and four top 30's... That's it. Sure, RFR not bringing the power (2 years) and Wood Brother being under funded (4 races) of those years hurts, but still Trevor hasn't shown much here.

About the Track: Indianapolis Motor Speedway

Track Stats

• A race has been won from the Polefour times in 23 NASCAR races (Kyle Larson 2016, Newman 2013, Jimmie Johnson 2008, and Kevin Harvick 2003).
• Chevy had won 12 of the last 13 races and 16 of 22 races total before Kyle Busch (Toyota) won the last two years. Ford- 3, Toyota- 2 Pontiac- 1, and Dodge- 1 
• Jeff Gordon won the Inaugural Cup race in 1994
• Most cautions was 13 in 2004
• Gordon has the most career wins here with 5. Jimmie Johnson is next in line with 4
• 13 drivers have won at Indy including 9 that only won once.
• Only five drivers have multiple wins (Busch, Gordon, JJ, Tony Stewart, and Dale Jarrett).
• Gordon also has the most poles (3), top 5's (12), and top 10's (17) of any driver.

Track Info

• Surface- Asphalt
• Length- 2.5 miles
• Banking
• Turns: 9 degrees
• Straights: 0 degrees