NASCAR Picks: The NASCAR Sprint Cup Series was thrilled to begin running at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in what was then known as the Brickyard 400 as the initial races played to packed grandstands and were very well received with the winning drivers kissing the famed bricks that make for the track’s finish line. The Sprint Cup race has since gone through several different names starting with the 2005 race and attendance has become a major problem. But for the drivers and teams in the Sprint Cup Series, winning the annual July race at the Brickyard is still a very big deal. Sunday afternoon from the Indianapolis Motor Speedway on ESPN it will be the Crown Royal Presents the Curtiss Shaver 400 at the Brickyard with a starting time of 1 PM ET.
Current Standings
Jeff Gordon leads the Sprint Cup Standings with 670 points as Dale Earnhardt Jr is close behind in second place with 658 points. Junior is gunning for his elusive first Sprint Cup of his career. Rounding out the top of the top of the standings are Brad Keselowski, Matt Kenseth and Jimmie Johnson.
Top Drivers at the Brickyard
Ryan Newman was the winner at the Brickyard last year with Jimmie Johnson winning for the fourth time at the Brickyard in his career in 2012. Paul Menard won in 2011 with Jamie McMurray winning in 2010.
Tony Stewart is from Indiana and the Brickyard is his sacred racing cathedral. Stewart has two career wins at the Brickyard in 15 career starts with seven top five finishes and 11 top ten finishes with an average finish of 7.9.
Jeff Gordon has 20 career starts at the Brickyard with four career wins, 11 top five finishes and 16 top ten finishes with an average finish of 8.8.
Kevin Harvick has 13 career starts at the Brickyard with one win, four top five finishes and seven top ten finishes and an average finish of 10.9.
Kyle Busch has been effective at the Brickyard despite never winning there as in nine career starts he has two top five finishes and seven top ten finishes.
Our Pick
With his winning experience on his home-state track, Tony Stewart gets our call.
