Last Chance to make NASCAR Playoffs at Brickyard 400

Posted on September 5, 2019
Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Big Machine Vodka 400 at the Brickyard
INDIANAPOLIS, IN – SEPTEMBER 10: Kyle Busch, driver of the #18 M&M’s Caramel Toyota, leads the field at the start of the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Big Machine Vodka 400 at the Brickyard at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on September 10, 2018 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo courtesy of NASCARmedia.com/by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)

There is one race remaining in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series regular season. It is the last chance to earn a spot in the NASCAR post-season. It is the prestigious Brickyard 400.

The official name of this week’s race is the Big Machine Vodka 400 at the Brickyard powered by Florida Georgia Line. However, it is simply called the “Brickyard 400” by most people. The race at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway is considered one of NASCAR’s crown jewel races each season.

There are 14 drivers that have clinched their spot on the 16-driver grid with a chance to win the 2019 championship. That leaves just two spots open for the remaining drivers to race for.

Kyle Busch has not only locked himself on that grid with four wins, he has clinched the 2019 Regular Season Championship. There are nine other drivers that have locked themselves in the post-season by winning at least one race during the regular season. Four drivers clinched their playoff spots by earning enough points they cannot be pushed below 16th place in the point standings this week.

2019 NASCAR Playoffs out-look heading to Indianapolis Motor Speedway for the Brickyard 400
2019 NASCAR Playoffs out-look heading to Indianapolis Motor Speedway for the Brickyard 400

Clint Bowyer, Daniel Suarez, Ryan Newman and Jimmie Johnson can claim one of the final two spots in the playoffs without winning this week’s race depending on how they each finish. Of course winning the race would guarantee a spot in the playoffs regardless of how the other drivers finish. The rest of the drivers will have to win if they want to get in.

Here is what every driver will face while racing at Indianapolis Motor Speedway this week.

Indianapolis Motor Speedway Data
Track Size: 2.5-miles
Banking/Turns 1 & 2: 9 degrees
Banking/Turns 3 & 4: 9 degrees
Banking/Straights: 0 degrees
Frontstretch Length: 3,330 feet
Backstretch Length: 3,300 feet

Big Machine Vodka 400 at the Brickyard Data
Season Race #: 26 of 36 (09-08-19)
Race Length: 160 laps / 400 miles
Stages 1 & 2 Length: 50 laps (each)
Final Stage Length: 60 laps

These are the active drivers that have performed the best at Indy Speedway in their cup series careers.

Top 10 Driver Ratings at Indianapolis
Kyle Busch ……………………………. 106.7
Jimmie Johnson …………………….. 101.3
Kevin Harvick ………………………….. 98.6
Kyle Larson …………………………….. 98.6
Denny Hamlin …………………………. 94.1
Erik Jones ………………………………. 93.4
Brad Keselowski ……………………… 91.6
Joey Logano …………………………… 90.2
Clint Bowyer ……………………………. 86.0
Ryan Blaney …………………………… 81.9
Note: Driver Ratings compiled from 2005-2018 races (14 total) among active drivers at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

Winning at Indy (as mentioned earlier) is a major addition to a racing resume. Here are the active drivers who have that feather in their cap.

Jimmie Johnson – 4 Wins
Kyle Busch – 2 Wins
Brad Keselowski – 1 Win (2018 Brickyard 400)
Kevin Harvick – 1 Win
Paul Menard – 1 Win
Ryan Newman – 1 Win

This year’s rules package has provided some challenging races for drivers and teams and exciting racing for fans to watch. I believe this weekend’s race will be at the top of the list on both accounts.

Who will win the Brickyard 400? Who will get the final two spots in the NASCAR Playoffs? Who will fall just short in both goals?

We will find out Sunday, September 8th starting at 1 PM central time (2 PM eastern time) in the Big Machine Vodka 400 at the Brickyard at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

By: Buck Stevens

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