Lightning and heavy rain have disrupted the NASCAR schedule at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, forcing a delay in Cup Series practise and qualifying. The Xfinity Series practice session was cut short due to lightning, and subsequent heavy rain prevented any further track activity for the Cup Series.
The updated Saturday schedule is as follows (all times Eastern):
- 1:00 PM – 1:55 PM: NASCAR Xfinity Series Qualifying
- 2:00 PM – 2:30 PM: NASCAR Cup Series Practice
- 2:35 PM: NASCAR Cup Series Qualifying
- 4:30 PM: Pennzoil 250 race (NASCAR Xfinity Series)
Despite the weather disruptions, the Xfinity Series managed to complete a portion of their practice session. Driving for JR Motorsports, co-owned by Dale Earnhardt Jr., 19-year-old driver Josh Zilisch set the fastest lap at 166.627 mph in the No. 88 WeatherTech Chevrolet.Zilisch, who recently celebrated his 19th birthday, expressed his excitement about competing on the historic oval, comparing the experience to his childhood memories of watching the Indy 500.
Carson Kvapil,also driving for JR Motorsports,was second fastest in practice with a lap of 165.132 mph in the no. 1 Bass Pro Shops/Clarience Tech Chevrolet. KvapilS car features a throwback paint scheme honoring Jamie McMurray, the 2010 Brickyard 400 winner. Sam Mayer secured the third spot with a speed of 164.938 mph in the No. 41 Audibel Ford, followed by 2018 Pennzoil 250 winner Justin Allgaier in the No.7 Hellmann’s Spicy Mayo Chevrolet at 164.513 mph. Reigning Brickyard 400 champion Kyle Larson, who is participating in both series this weekend, rounded out the top five with a speed of 164.120 mph in the No. 17 HendrickCars.com Chevrolet.
The Xfinity Series practice session was marked by two incidents that led to brief stoppages. Early in the session, Daniel Dye spun his no. 10 Champion Container Chevrolet exiting Turn 2 and made contact with the SAFER Barrier, but was able to return to pit road. Later, Taylor Grey brushed the SAFER Barrier in Turn 2 in his No. 54 Operation 300 Toyota, resulting in a half-spin on the back straightaway before he regained control and drove back to Gasoline Alley.
For tickets and more information about Brickyard Weekend, visit IMS.com.
