Brickyard 400: Complete Schedule, Historic Oval Return, and Race Times

The significance of this return cannot be overstated. Since its inaugural running in 1994, which drew a record-shattering crowd of over 250,000 fans, the Brickyard 400 has established itself as a crown jewel of the racing season. While the event experimented with a road course format from 2021 to 2023, the 2024 season marked a major turning point as the race reclaimed its traditional 400-mile distance on the legendary oval layout.

Recent years have seen plenty of drama and a resurgence in fan interest. Bubba Wallace has emerged as a standout performer in this new era of the event, showcasing the skill and intensity required to compete at the front of the pack at Indy. The 2024 return saw attendance climb back above 70,000 spectators, signaling the first year-over-year growth for the race since 2002 and proving that fans are eager to see the Cup Series tackle the bricks in the traditional way.

This shift back to the oval format honors the deep history of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway while setting the stage for a high-stakes weekend of speed. As teams prepare for the 2026 event, the excitement is building for another chapter in this storied race. To make the most of this historic weekend, fans should keep a close eye on the specific gates and session times scheduled for the upcoming three-day festivities.

Full 2026 Brickyard Weekend Schedule and Dates

With the historic return to the 2.5-mile oval, planning your trip requires a close look at the action-packed three-day itinerary. The 2026 brickyard schedule is designed to keep fans engaged from the moment gates open on Friday morning until the final lap on Sunday afternoon. This compact format ensures that every day offers high-stakes sessions, whether it is the raw speed of qualifying or the endurance required for the main events.

Knowing the brickyard 400 schedule ahead of time helps you navigate the various practice rounds and support races that build the weekend's momentum. The sequence of events follows a traditional progression, but with specific timing that caters to the summer heat and broadcast needs. Below is the full breakdown of what to expect during this premier racing weekend.

Scroll sideways to see the full table →

Key Dates for the 2026 Event

The brickyard 400 dates for 2026 are officially set for July 24-26. This late-July slot represents a consistent home for the race, moving away from the experimentation of August or September dates seen in previous decades. By anchoring the event in the heart of summer, the speedway captures the peak of the racing season while honoring the tradition of mid-summer classics at Indianapolis.

This three-day structure is a shift from the four-day or month-long festivities sometimes associated with other major events at the track. It provides a focused, high-energy window for fans to witness both the NASCAR Cup Series and the secondary series in a single trip. While the schedule is subject to change by officials, these dates provide the foundation for your travel planning.

As the weekend builds toward its conclusion, the focus shifts entirely to the crown jewel of the event. The timing for the Sunday finale is specifically calibrated to ensure the 160-lap main event concludes before the evening hours.

Race Day Timing and Broadcast Information

Knowing exactly when the green flag drops is the most important detail for any racing fan. For the 2026 return to the historic 2.5-mile oval, the main event is set to take place on Sunday, July 26. Fans should plan their weekend around the brickyard 400 start time of 2:00 PM EST, which provides a perfect afternoon window for high-speed action at the Brickyard.

The race will cover a grueling 400-mile distance, requiring drivers to complete 160 laps around the legendary rectangular oval. For those watching from home, the event will be carried by major broadcast partners including NBC Sports and NBC. These networks, along with streaming options like USANBC, ensure that fans across the country can catch every moment of the Cup Series return to the big track.

The brickyard 400 starting time is part of a carefully choreographed Sunday schedule designed to build excitement leading up to the main event. Before the engines roar to life for the race, the speedway hosts various pre-race activities and final practice sessions to ensure the cars are dialed in for the unique challenges of the Indianapolis layout.

Weekend schedule and broadcast windows

The following schedule outlines the critical windows for the final day of the event, ensuring you do not miss the brickyard 400 time or the ceremonies that precede it:

10:00 AM EST - Gates open to the public 12:05 PM EST - O'Reilly Practice session 1:05 PM EST - Cup Series Practice session 2:00 PM EST - Brickyard 400 (160 Laps) Green Flag 5:30 PM EST - Gates close

While Sunday is the climax of the weekend, the excitement begins much earlier with high-stakes sessions on Friday and Saturday. These earlier days are vital for teams as they participate in practice and qualifying rounds that ultimately determine the starting grid for Sunday's 400-mile showdown.

Qualifying Procedures and Support Races

The return of the Brickyard 400 is about more than just the main 160-lap feature on Sunday. The entire weekend at the 2.5-mile oval is packed with high-stakes action, starting with intense qualifying sessions that decide who gets the best view of the Yard of Bricks at the start of the race. Fans can expect a full schedule that highlights the versatility of the track, featuring both the stars of the NASCAR Cup Series and the rising talent in stock car and sprint car racing.

One of the most interesting aspects of the weekend is the brickyard qualifying format. NASCAR uses a specific weighted metric to determine the qualifying order for the Cup Series, ensuring that the most consistent performers are rewarded while keeping the field balanced. This system moves away from purely relying on practice speeds, adding a layer of strategy before the cars even hit the track for their timed laps.

The qualifying order is determined by a weighted metric that combines the previous race finish (70%) and the current owner points position (30%).

Support races and series

The Pennzoil 250 serves as the primary support event for the weekend, bringing the NASCAR secondary series to the oval for a 100-lap battle. This race is a fan favorite, often featuring a mix of series regulars and Cup Series veterans looking for extra seat time on the world-famous rectangular track. For the 2026 event, Take 5 Oil Change has stepped in as the presenting sponsor, adding even more prestige to this high-speed showcase.

In addition to the stock car action, the weekend also features the USAC National Sprint Car Championship. This inclusion highlights the deep roots of open-wheel racing at Indianapolis, providing a different style of speed that complements the heavy stock cars. With gates opening early on Friday and Saturday, fans have plenty of opportunities to see these different disciplines tackle the legendary venue.

As the qualifying times are set and the support winners celebrate in victory lane, all eyes turn toward the main event. The path to winning at the Brickyard is paved with data and precision, much like the careers of the legendary figures who first defined what it means to conquer this track.

The Legacy of Jeff Gordon and Hendrick Motorsports

When looking back at the icons of the Brickyard, one name stands above the rest in the history of NASCAR at Indianapolis. Jeff Gordon, a driver synonymous with the speedway, holds nearly every significant record for the event. His connection to the track began with the very first race in 1994, an event that drew a massive crowd of over 250,000 spectators. This inaugural turnout remains a landmark moment for the sport, as it was NASCAR's most attended event and the first time a race other than the Indianapolis 500 had been held at the track since 1916.

The success of Jeff Gordon was not just a personal triumph but a cornerstone for the dominance of Hendrick Motorsports. Together, they turned the 2.5 mile oval into a fortress for their team. While attendance saw a decline after a 2008 tire controversy and other factors like hot summer temperatures, recent years have shown a major resurgence. As fans look forward to brickyard weekend 2025 and beyond, the energy is returning to levels not seen in two decades. In fact, 2024 marked the first year over year growth in attendance since 2002, with more than 70,000 fans watching the action return to the oval.

The following statistics highlight the overwhelming impact Jeff Gordon and the Hendrick team have had on this historic venue:

• Jeff Gordon holds the record for the most driver victories with five total wins.
• Hendrick Motorsports is the most successful team in event history with 11 total victories.
• Gordon leads all drivers in career earnings, most laps led (528), and most laps completed (3,519).
• The Hendrick team also holds the record for the most pole positions with five.
• Chevrolet, the primary manufacturer for Hendrick, has secured 18 total wins at the track.

This legacy of excellence continues to draw fans back to the speedway. With the event firmly back on the historic oval layout after a brief hiatus on the road course, the momentum is building for the next generation of racers to chase these records. Fans planning to attend brickyard weekend 2025 can expect to see if a new driver can start a streak that rivals the legends of the past.

Planning Your Visit: Tickets and Family Info

If you are looking for the brickyard 500 schedule, you are likely searching for the legendary Brickyard 400. While the name often gets mixed up with the Indianapolis 500, this NASCAR event has its own distinct identity and a three day weekend packed with action. For the 2026 season, the brickyard 500 date is set for July 24 through 26, featuring the Cup Series stars returning to the historic 2.5 mile oval.

The event is officially known as the Brickyard 400 presented by PPG Industries, and it remains one of the most accessible major races for families. Indianapolis Motor Speedway continues to prioritize the next generation of fans by offering generous admission policies that make a weekend at the track more affordable for parents and groups.

One of the standout features of the ticket policy is that children 15 and under are admitted free of charge. This applies to both General Admission and Flex Admission tickets when the minor is accompanied by a paying adult. It is a fantastic way to introduce young fans to the roar of the engines without the burden of extra ticket costs.

For those looking to attend the 2026 weekend, there are several ticket tiers and unique add-ons to consider. Fans can also participate in a specialized sustainability initiative during the checkout process to help manage the environmental impact of their trip.

• General Admission: Starting at $45 for Sunday
• Reserved Seats: Starting at $50
• Flex Admission: Priced at $60
• Kids 15 and Under: Free with a paying adult
• Carbon Offset Program: $5 optional add-on to support habitat restoration
• ADA Inquiries: Contact 317-492-6700 or mail@example.com

The $5 carbon offset program is a unique way for spectators to give back. This small contribution helps offset the average carbon footprint of a race day order, with past funds supporting habitat restoration in areas like the Mississippi Alluvial Valley. Between the family-friendly pricing and the focus on the future of the sport, the Brickyard 400 stands as a must-see event for any true racing fan.

Disclaimer: The prices mentioned in this article are based on publicly available data and reflect the prices as of [Jun 2, 2026]. Prices are subject to change without notice. This information is provided for general informational purposes only. No rights may be derived from it, and we disclaim all liability for any actions or decisions based on this content.