NASCAR Nationwide Series Indiana 250 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on July 28, 2012
Photo – Getty Images

The famous yard of bricks at Indianapolis Motor Speedway was home to a new series last season, and once again in 2013, the that series is returning for their next race. A successful debut at the world-famous circuit has the Nationwide Series returning this weekend for the second annual Indiana 250. Cup regulars stole the show by using their track experience last season, but the Nationwide regulars are prepared to put up a fight with one race under their belts. A new person will kiss the bricks Saturday afternoon and put themself into the storied history books.

Engines will roar around the track during the Indiana 250 on Saturday, July 27, 2013 and drivers will see the green flag at 4:50 PM ET. The race will run 100 laps, making up the 250 miles of the event. The forecast on Saturday afternoon calls for isolated thunder storms, a high of 75 F, and only a 30% chance of rain. The race television broadcast is on ESPN and on via radio on MRN.

Last year at Indianapolis, it was Brad Keselowski kissing the bricks after taking the first checkered flag for the Nationwide Series at the famed track. The race also brought controversy when a late restart in which Keselowski was slow to the line, while Austin Dillon pushed second-place Elliot Sadler out front; but NASCAR wasn’t okay with what was perceived to be an illegal restart as Sadler passed Keselowski before the start/finish line. Officials black-flagged Sadler who had become the new leader, stripping him of the Dash4Cash bonus along with a coveted Indianapolis win. Sadler wasn’t pleased, and the call was questionable in the minds of many fans.

Cup drivers have flocked to this race because of the historical significance of a win at this track. A victory at Indianapolis is legendary and to kiss the bricks means the world to all drivers. The main Cup drivers in the field include Kasey Kahne, Matt Kenseth, Kevin Harvick, Joey Logano, Paul Menard, and Kyle Busch. Only Harvick and Menard have won at the track, so the other guys will be full-throttle chasing their first victory on the hallowed grounds.

After a stand-alone event at Chicagoland last weekend, the points lead changed hands. Sam Hornish Jr. shot to the top after capitalizing on Regan Smith’s mistakes. Hornish started the season in the lead, and is now back at the top, trying to keep the spot for the remainder of the season. With the top-five in points only trailing Hornish by 22, anyone could storm to the coveted top spot. Dillon, Sadler, and Allgaier are in striking distance of the championship lead and without doubt, they’ll be going after it on Saturday.

As always, the races at Indy are hyped up since this track is such a special one. All of these drivers want to join the elite club of Nationwide Series winners at the track and without Keselowski in the race, a new name will be added to the list. Come race time, the drivers will undoubtedly be chasing a win that means so much to their career. Only one will get the win, so the battle will surely be fantastic on Saturday afternoon.

Event Schedule

8:30- 10:00 AM ET (Friday) Nationwide Series Practice, not televised

10:30- 11:25 AM ET (Friday) Nationwide Series Final Practice, televised on SPEED

12:05 PM ET (Saturday) Nationwide Series Qualifying, televised on SPEED

4:30 PM ET (Saturday) Nationwide Series’ Race, the Indiana 250, televised on ESPN

Next Race– US Cellular 250 at the Iowa Speedway in Newton, Iowa

Entry List via Jayski.com