After a rollercoaster ride of thunderstorms and damp tracks, NASCAR is finally out in the sun. The weather gods intervened early this year – the season-opening race, the Daytona 500, had to be postponed to Monday. Then recently rain clouds battered NASCAR tracks continuously for five races. Drivers were skidding their tires out of control at the Chicago Street Race, bouncing into tire barriers.

But finally, the sun has agreed to grant us a pleasant weekend. A lot of anticipation is going into the upcoming Brickyard 400 race. Given its comeback after three years, people are crossing their fingers for a flawless race. And Mother Nature has finally conceded to their demands.

Brickyard 400 is set to bask in the sun

NASCAR has been drawing flak for a horde of slip-ups – inconsistent penalties, underperforming Next Gen cars, and so forth. But one thing was out of the sanctioning body’s control, and the people could only utter prayers to change it – the weather. Rainy weekends got on drivers’ and fans’ nerves for a long time. After showers ruined his ‘Double’ outing in May, Kyle Larson was heartbroken. He even admitted his fears recently about going back to Indianapolis Motor Speedway, where the Indy 500 faced a rain delay.

But Mother Nature has finally paid heed to the prayers – the upcoming Brickyard 400 is slated to be bright and sunny. Race Weather updated the forecast on X: “Finally an easy week to forecast for with no chance of rain for this weekends #NASCAR race in Indianapolis!” There’s a 7% chance of rain on Saturday and a 6% chance of rain on Sunday. Temperatures could reach 84 degrees Celsius with partly cloudy skies – all amounting to a beautiful weekend.

Some interesting elements will collaborate with the favorable weather. In 2021, NASCAR shifted to its road course race in Indianapolis. So after three years, the series will return to the iconic oval course – and commemorate its 30-year-anniversary on the track. In 1994, 23-year-old Jeff Gordon soared to victory at the Brickyard 400 race for the first time. He also went on to become the driver carrying the most wins at the track.

Another thing to note and to look forward to is that the second driver on the Brickyard 400 wins list will also be participating. 7-time Cup champion Jimmie Johnson will make his 6th part-time Cup start this season. Holding four wins at Indianapolis, he will draw several eyes to his experienced racing. Johnson is also making this event a family affair. His father Gary Johnson will spot his car, and his daughters designed the No. 84 Toyota’s paint scheme.

Despite Jimmie Johnson’s past dominance, prediction models draw the spotlight on two fiery drivers for the Brickyard 400.

A neck-to-neck battle between owner-driver

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Of the 27 races held on the Indianapolis oval track, 22 of them witnessed winners who were Cup Series champions. However, for the 2024 Brickyard 400 race, a non-champion is drumming up the maximum expectations. Denny Hamlin is yet to clinch a championship trophy, but his 54-race glory is significant evidence of his chances to win. The 43-year-old driver has seven career crown jewel wins (three Daytona 500s, three Southern 500s, and one Coke 600), leaving just the Brickyard. He owns five top-fives at the track and is the 15-4 favorite in the 2024 Brickyard 400 odds.

But Hamlin’s driver poses a great challenge. 23XI Racing driver Tyler Reddick has been a threat to win almost on a weekly basis. Holding seven top-five finishes so far, he has proved to be a thorn in several winners’ sides. For example, he almost toppled Kyle Larson in Las Vegas, and then almost swerved past Alex Bowman in Chicago. Even though he’s a 12-1 longshot in the latest 2024 Brickyard 400 odds, prediction models are high on Reddick to win the race this weekend.

Hence the Brickyard 400 is slated to be a feisty battle between drivers. With Mother Nature promising beautiful weather, our expectations are even more hiked!