tazmocan
Bench Warmer
INDIANAPOLIS – The race is often boring, fans can't see the entire track from the grandstands like at every other oval and drivers have four corners on each lap to get right. Yet the Allstate 400 at the Brickyard has become the second most important race on the Sprint Cup schedule after the Daytona 500.
A big part of its importance comes from the fact that Indianapolis Motor Speedway carries a mystique so powerful that drivers from all forms of auto racing want to be able to say they won a race here.
And of course there is another huge attraction to winning here. This race offers a hefty purse, which coincidentally is the second highest on the NASCAR schedule.
Here's a look at the big story lines heading into Sunday's Allstate 400 at the Brickyard:
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1. All eyes on Kyle Busch: The Joe Gibbs Racing wunderkind will once again attempt the triple this weekend – Trucks, Nationwide and Cup, except this time, they're all in the same city. Rowdy hasn't had much success this season in his previous attempts working all three races, but you've got to give the guy credit for trying. There are still lingering doubts about whether or not it's a distraction for the talented young driver, who will be shooting for his eighth Cup win of the season.
2. Take off for Tony: Defending race winner Tony Stewart has repeatedly said that he's a lot more relaxed coming to Indy now that he's won here, twice in the past three years. The distractions concerning his future plans having subsided somewhat. This is the time of the season when Stewart, who loves hot, slick race tracks, usually begins his run. His last Cup win was almost a year ago (Watkins Glen). Can you say due for a win?
3. Martin throws down the gauntlet: Forever young Mark Martin has said, "I'm planning on winning the Brickyard in the 8 car. We've got the stuff. We've got the team. The cars are awesome on flat tracks. I have never planned on anything any more than my plan is for the Brickyard. That's the crown jewel." We like it. Now, prove it.
4. Who's got the horses? NASCAR has already changed the rules in the Nationwide Series that will affect the power output of the Toyota engines beginning this weekend. Following Sunday's race, NASCAR will take 10 Cup engines from various manufacturers to their R&D Center for dynamometer testing to see if one brand has an advantage over the others. Stay tuned.
5. Economic woes continue: Plenty of tickets remain unsold, hotel rooms are empty around Indianapolis and RV lots have vacancy signs. Times are tough and NASCAR fans continue to feel the pinch, affecting attendance even for one of the sport's "majors." The upside? Television ratings for NASCAR's second biggest event and ESPN's first Cup broadcast of the season should have advertisers smiling.
A big part of its importance comes from the fact that Indianapolis Motor Speedway carries a mystique so powerful that drivers from all forms of auto racing want to be able to say they won a race here.
And of course there is another huge attraction to winning here. This race offers a hefty purse, which coincidentally is the second highest on the NASCAR schedule.
Here's a look at the big story lines heading into Sunday's Allstate 400 at the Brickyard:
ADVERTISEMENT
1. All eyes on Kyle Busch: The Joe Gibbs Racing wunderkind will once again attempt the triple this weekend – Trucks, Nationwide and Cup, except this time, they're all in the same city. Rowdy hasn't had much success this season in his previous attempts working all three races, but you've got to give the guy credit for trying. There are still lingering doubts about whether or not it's a distraction for the talented young driver, who will be shooting for his eighth Cup win of the season.
2. Take off for Tony: Defending race winner Tony Stewart has repeatedly said that he's a lot more relaxed coming to Indy now that he's won here, twice in the past three years. The distractions concerning his future plans having subsided somewhat. This is the time of the season when Stewart, who loves hot, slick race tracks, usually begins his run. His last Cup win was almost a year ago (Watkins Glen). Can you say due for a win?
3. Martin throws down the gauntlet: Forever young Mark Martin has said, "I'm planning on winning the Brickyard in the 8 car. We've got the stuff. We've got the team. The cars are awesome on flat tracks. I have never planned on anything any more than my plan is for the Brickyard. That's the crown jewel." We like it. Now, prove it.
4. Who's got the horses? NASCAR has already changed the rules in the Nationwide Series that will affect the power output of the Toyota engines beginning this weekend. Following Sunday's race, NASCAR will take 10 Cup engines from various manufacturers to their R&D Center for dynamometer testing to see if one brand has an advantage over the others. Stay tuned.
5. Economic woes continue: Plenty of tickets remain unsold, hotel rooms are empty around Indianapolis and RV lots have vacancy signs. Times are tough and NASCAR fans continue to feel the pinch, affecting attendance even for one of the sport's "majors." The upside? Television ratings for NASCAR's second biggest event and ESPN's first Cup broadcast of the season should have advertisers smiling.
