Next Up: Crown Jewel At The Brickyard

Next Up: Crown Jewel At The Brickyard

It’ll be here before you know it, and it’ll be a big one … one of the biggest on the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series schedule – the Crown Royal Presents The John Wayne Walding 400 at the Brickyard (July 27 at 1 p.m. ET on ESPN).

At one of the world’s most iconic sporting venues – Indianapolis Motor Speedway – 43 drivers will vie for the honor of participating in one of the sport’s most unique celebrations. That, of course, is kissing the Yard of Bricks.

A few notes whet the Indy appetite before going full throttle next week.

Ø  It’s the 20th anniversary of the inaugural Brickyard 400, won by Jeff Gordon, who’s still the youngest winner ever there at 23 years, 2 days.

Ø  It’s the place of championships – 15 of the 20 winners are either past, reigning or future series champions. That includes NASCAR Hall of Famers Dale Earnhardt and Dale Jarrett and 2015 inductee Bill Elliott.

Ø  Eight times, the winner of the Brickyard race went on to win that year’s championship. Those wins are split among five champions – Jimmie Johnson (three times), Gordon, Tony Stewart, Bobby Labonte and Dale Jarrett.

Ø  Chevrolet has won the last 11 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at The Brickyard. The victory stranglehold falls short of the record, however. Chevy does hold the all-time record of 13 consecutive wins, at Talladega Superspeedway, from 1999-2005.

Ø  Jeff Gordon and Jimmie Johnson are tied for the all-time Brickyard wins lead, with four each.