Get Your Race On At The Brickyard

By Melody Schubert @USATM

This weekend welcomes back NASCAR fans and drivers to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway for a action packed weekend. The weekend racing schedule includes the annual Lilly Diabetes 250 NASCAR XFINITY race on Saturday, July 25. With the much anticipated running of the Jeff Kyle 400 at the Brickyard, presented by Crown Royal, on Sunday, July 26.
Will last year's winner, Jeff Gordan, who is the first driver to win five times at the Brickyard, take the checkered flag? Like, Jeff, Tony Stewart and Ryan Newman are former Indiana residents, who'll be fighting to cross the finish line first. Ryan took the prized trophy in 2013. While Tony had wins at the Brickyard in 2005 and 2007. So, it's anyone's race to win!
After what seemed like endless weeks of rain that caused flooding across Indiana, the weather has calmed down. Yet, race fans and drivers alike should prepare for a hot weekend at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, with the possibility for rain on Sunday. You can bet that the race teams will be watching the  temperature changes and conditions on the track and make adjustments accordingly.
Look for a two-round format Crown Royal 400 at the Brickyard qualifying on Saturday, July 25, which is due to the new high-drag aerodynamic package on Sprint Cup Series cars. Cars will post a time for one lap in the first round, with the 12 fastest cars advancing to a second round, where one more one-lap run will be used to determine the polesitter.
Another change you may notice at the Crown Royal Brickyard 400 are the higher spoilers on the cars. The change to nine inches with a one-inch wicker bill according to NASCAR is to create a drafting effect that would allow for the possibility of more passing. It should be interesting to see if this change gives drivers an edge; especially when it comes down to the high speed shoot out to the finish line!
See you at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway!
Getting There:
For ticket information for all racing events at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, including the Crown Royal Presents the Jeff Kyle 400 at the Brickyard, Lilly Diabetes 250 and Red Bull Indianapolis GP call 800-822-INDY or 317-492-6700 between 8 a.m.-5 p.m. (ET) Monday through Friday.
Drop in at the IMS Ticket Office in the IMS Administration Building located at 4790 West 16th Street, Indianapolis, IN, which is just east of the roundabout at Crawfordsville Road and 16th Street, between 8 a.m.-5 p.m. (ET) Monday through Friday.
And, you can also order tickets online at www.ims.com/tickets.
Photo Credits: IMS