NASCAR Monday Mash-Up: A return to the Brickyard ends in controversy
For the first time since 2020, NASCAR raced on the oval at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. It ended in controversy. All things considered, I believe it was a successful return of the Brickyard 400.
While Kyle Larson walked away as the big winner, there is a lot to talk about from the weekend. From the Truck Series at Indianapolis Raceway Park to Xfinity and Cup racing at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
Wrecks, tempers flaring, and disgruntled fans – the ovals, big and small in Indy brought all of that out and more this NASCAR weekend.
Connor Zilisch stunts on ARCA field again
For the third time in the national series and fourth time in the East this season, Connor Zilisch won in the ARCA Menards Series. It was another battle with William Sawalich.
Zilisch turned 18 today. That means he can now race on oval tracks that are longer than a mile long. Look out, NASCAR world.
Tempers flare between NASCAR Truck Series favorites
The two championship favorites in the NASCAR Truck Series, Christian Eckes and Corey Heim, got into it on the track. Heim felt Eckes didn’t race him with respect.
This spat would boil over into a conversation on pit road. These two drivers have combined for eight wins this season and this won’t be their final time racing close with one another.
Ty Majeski wins after pass-through penalty
Despite having to serve a pass-through penalty early in the race at IRP, Ty Majeski went on to win the race. He defended his victory from 2023 in somewhat dramatic fashion.
IRP is a great track for the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series. It put on a good show Friday night. Majeski got a much-needed win.
Cole Custer announces 2025 plans
Before the Xfinity Series qualified and raced on Saturday, Cole Custer had a big announcement. He revealed his plans for 2025 and they are what you expect.
Custer is back in the Cup Series next year with the Haas Factory team. He is back in the 41 car for 2025.
Hailie Deegan to Haas in Xfinity?
Another thing to note from the Haas Factory Team announcement. Hailie Deegan and the team have been in contact about one of the two Xfinity Series rides the team has for next year.
Deegan fell out with AM Racing this season. That seat is now being filled by Cup Series regulars until the playoffs.
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Caitlin Clark impressed with paint scheme
How about the WNBA crossover with Stewart-Haas Racing? Josh Berry had Caitlin Clark on the hood of his No. 4 Panini Ford Mustang.
Clark even commented on the paint scheme. She grew up a NASCAR fan, and was taken aback by the honor.
Riley Herbst wins NASCAR Xfinity Series race
Speaking of Stewart-Haas, this weekend revolved around a lot of Haas-related news. Riley Herbst was the big winner in the Pennzoil 250.
The NASCAR season is going on break for the Olympics. Herbst picked a great time to get his second career win. Cole Custer gave SHR the 1-2 sweep as well.
William Byron hits the wall at Indy
During the Brickyard 400, William Byron took a big hit into the inside wall on the backstretch. Byron got caught up in a mess on a Stage 2 restart, and it was not good.
Byron’s car shot for the outside wall and hit it hard. The NASCAR driver was released from the care center and was upset by the “squirrels” in the field that caused him to wreck.
Final stage in NASCAR Brickyard 400 gets messy
The final stage was a mess. Jimmie Johnson, Joey Logano, Daniel Hemric, John Hunter Nemechek, Denny Hamlin, and Alex Bowman were all wrecked out of the race in the final stage.
Kyle Busch even wrecked late as he was on his way to a strong finish. Go figure. This all opened the door for Kyle Larson to make his move.
Kyle Larson wins, Ryan Blaney upset
There was not one but two different controversies to finish this race. Ryan Blaney ended up on the raw end of the deal in both, more or less.
Larson went on to win the Brickyard 400 under caution in double overtime. While fans and maybe Blaney were upset about how things unfolded, NASCAR stuck by their guns and Larson was the winner.