NASCAR: Who will win the inaugural Indianapolis road course race?
By Mark Kristl
The NASCAR Xfinity Series is set to race at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway road course for the first time. Who will win the 2020 Pennzoil 150 at the Brickyard?
The NASCAR Xfinity Series is set to make history on this Fourth of July, as it is set to compete at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway road course for the first time. The series raced on the track’s four-turn, 2.5-mile (4.023-kilometer) oval each year from 2012 to 2019.
Now the Xfinity Series is set to race on the 13-turn, 2.439-mile (3.925-kilometer) road course on the same day as the NTT IndyCar Series. There will be two 55-minute practice sessions for the Xfinity Series drivers, but no qualifying. Because this is the inaugural race for the series at the track, who is the favorite?
A.J. Allmendinger
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At the top of the list should be A.J. Allmendinger. Driving the #16 Kaulig Racing Chevrolet, Allmendinger already has one win, two top five finishes, and four top 10 finishes in only four starts this season.
He is known for his road course racing prowess, exemplified with his Xfinity Series wins at Road America, Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course and the Charlotte Motor Speedway Roval. Allmendinger is having fun and trophy hunting. He’ll keep that mindset by hopefully wheeling his #16 Chevrolet to victory lane once again.
Austin Cindric
All of Austin Cindric’s wins in NASCAR have come at road courses. He won two races last season in the Xfinity Series at Watkins Glen International and Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course to accompany his lone Truck Series win in 2017 at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park.
Cindric currently sits in fourth place in the championship standings, albeit without a win. His team owner, Roger Penske, now owns Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Cindric would relish winning at his team owner’s race track.
Chase Briscoe
Chase Briscoe leads the Xfinity Series with 22 playoff points so far this season, thanks to a series-high four wins. He is also the leader of the championship standings. Regarding his road course racing skills, Briscoe won the inaugural Xfinity Series race at the Charlotte Motor Speedway Roval in 2018. Can he win another inaugural road course race?
Briscoe hails from Mitchell, Indiana, which is 85 miles south of Indianapolis Motor Speedway. A victory on the road course would be doubly special for him. Additionally, he would further increase his lead in the standings and in playoff points. He is set to start in 12th place. Can he gain 11 positions in his #98 Stewart-Haas Racing Ford?
Justin Allgaier
Although he sits in seventh place in the championship standings with only two top five finishes through 12 races this year, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway road course will be a prime opportunity for Justin Allgaier to jump back into championship contention.
Allgaier has won at three different road courses in his Xfinity Series career: Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course and Road America.
He also won the 2018 race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, so in addition to becoming the first Xfinity Series victor on the road course, he would also become the first driver to win on both the road course and the oval, another historical accomplishment.
Tommy Joe Martins
One driver who desperately needs a good finish is Tommy Joe Martins. The owner/driver of Martins Motorsports has endured an unlucky season driving his #44 Chevrolet.
MMS 2020
— Tommy Joe Martins (@TommyJoeMartins) June 29, 2020
Day: DNQ
LV: Suspension + Fuel Fire
Cali: Oil Fire + Cut Tire
Phx: Alternator
Darl: Spark Plug
CLT: Cut Tire + Crash
Bristol: Brakes, Damage
ATL: Cut Tire, Damage
Mia1: Electrical Fire
Mia2: Cut Tire, Damage
Tal: Damage
Poc: Engine
11/11 w/damage or mechanical issues. pic.twitter.com/WWTKiH7drr
As a result of his misfortune, Martins sits in 26th place in the championship standings. However, he and his team have soldiered on. The 33-year-old has his best career average finishing position this year despite bad luck. If he and his team can run a clean race, he can surprise people with his performance.
Prediction
Since NASCAR moved the Xfinity Series from Lucas Oil Raceway to Indianapolis Motor Speedway, fans have clamored for a return to the short track. While the Pennzoil 150 at the Brickyard is not occurring on a short track, the fact that it will be run on a road course is hopefully an amicable compromise.
Earlier this year, I argued that NASCAR finally gave the Xfinity Series a new identity. So who will be victorious in this inaugural Indianapolis Motor Speedway road course race? I predict that Allgaier will break through and win it.
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The 62-lap Pennzoil 150 at the Brickyard is set to be broadcast live on NBC beginning at 3:00 p.m. ET on Saturday, July 4. The first stage is set to end at lap 20 and the second stage is set to end at lap 40.