2018 Brickyard 400


The 2018 Brickyard 400, branded as Big Machine Vodka 400 at the Brickyard, was a Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race held on September 10, 2018, at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Speedway, Indiana. The 25th running of the Brickyard 400, it was contested over 160 laps on the speedway, and was the 26th race of the 2018 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series season, and the final race of the regular season before the playoffs.
The race was notable for being the first time in NASCAR's modern era that all track activity prior to the race was cancelled by rain and for the race itself to be delayed to Monday, where it was won by Brad Keselowski's Team Penske Ford.

Report

Background

The Indianapolis Motor Speedway, located in Speedway, Indiana, in the United States, is the home of the Indianapolis 500 and the Brickyard 400. It is located on the corner of 16th Street and Georgetown Road, approximately west of Downtown Indianapolis.
Constructed in 1909, it is the original speedway, the first racing facility so named. It has a permanent seating capacity estimated at 235,000 with infield seating raising capacity to an approximate 400,000. It is the highest-capacity sports venue in the world.
Considered relatively flat by American standards, the track is a, nearly rectangular oval with dimensions that have remained essentially unchanged since its inception: four turns, two straightaways between the fourth and first turns and the second and third turns, and two short straightaways – termed "short chutes" – between the first and second, and third and fourth turns.

Entry list

Practice

Both practice sessions on Saturday were cancelled due to rain.

Qualifying

Qualifying on Saturday was cancelled due to rain and Kyle Busch, the point leader, was awarded the pole as a result.

Starting lineup

Race

Stage results

Stage 1
Laps: 50
Stage 2
Laps: 50

Final stage results

Stage 3
Laps: 60

Race statistics

  • Lead changes: 14 among 9 different drivers
  • Cautions/Laps: 10 for 39 laps
  • Red flags: 0
  • Time of race: 3 hours, 6 minutes and 35 seconds
  • Average speed:

    Media

Television

covered the race on the television side, with a broadcast produced similarly to their Watkins Glen International race broadcasts. Rick Allen and Steve Letarte called the race from the broadcast booth, with individual turn announcers calling as the drivers passed them – Motor Racing Network broadcaster Mike Bagley in turn 2, Dale Earnhardt Jr. in turn 3, and Jeff Burton in turn 4. Dave Burns, Parker Kligerman, Marty Snider and Kelli Stavast reported from pit lane.

Radio

and the Performance Racing Network jointly co-produced the radio broadcast for the race, which was simulcast on Sirius XM NASCAR Radio, and aired on IMS or PRN stations, depending on contractual obligations. The lead announcers and two pit reporters were PRN staff, while the turns and two pit reporters were from IMS.

Standings after the race

;Drivers' Championship standings after Playoffs reset
;Manufacturers' Championship standings
  • Note: Only the first 16 positions are included for the driver standings.