Sprint Cup Series race at Indianapolis

From the very first NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway (won by Indiana’s adopted son Jeff Gordon), to the most recent (won by native son Ryan Newman), a bevy of memories has taken root as the series enters the 20th anniversary of racing at the Brickyard. It’s a place of champions – 15 of the 20 winners were either past, future or reigning series champions. And eight winners went on to win that year’s championship. … It’s not a record, but it’s close. Chevrolet has won 11 consecutive races at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, two short of the all-time record for a manufacturer (Chevrolet, 13 at Talladega from 1999-2005). Kevin Harvick started the streak in 2003 while with Richard Childress Racing, with the likes of Jeff Gordon, Tony Stewart, Jimmie Johnson, Jamie McMurray, Paul Menard and Ryan Newman following suit. … Indy could be a potential wild-card track on the way to the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup. The Brickyard wins list includes NASCAR Hall of Famers Dale Earnhardt, Dale Jarrett and Bill Elliott. But it also includes some surprises, like Jamie McMurray, Paul Menard and Ryan Newman – all of whom are looking for their first win of the season, and the likely Chase spot that goes with it. They’re among a large group who are relying on an Indy win to lock up a spot in the playoffs. Others include two-time winner Tony Stewart, Kasey Kahne (third last year) and Matt Kenseth (fifth last year).