2020 Brickyard 400

The 2020 Brickyard 400, branded as Big Machine Hand Sanitizer 400 Powered by Big Machine Records, is a NASCAR Cup Series race that was held on July 5, 2020 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Speedway, Indiana. It is the 27th running of the Brickyard 400. Contested over 161 laps—extended from 160 laps due to an overtime finish, on the 2.5-mile (4.0 km) speedway, it was the 16th race of the 2020 NASCAR Cup Series season.

2020 Brickyard 400
Race details[1][2][3][4][5][6]
Race 16 of 36 in the 2020 NASCAR Cup Series
2020 Brickyard 400 program cover
2020 Brickyard 400 program cover
DateJuly 5, 2020 (2020-07-05)
LocationIndianapolis Motor Speedway in Speedway, Indiana
CoursePermanent racing facility
2.5 mi (4 km)
Distance161 laps, 402.5 mi (644 km)
Scheduled Distance160 laps, 400 mi (640 km)
Average speed123.162 miles per hour (198.210 km/h)
Pole position
DriverTeam Penske
Grid positions set by ballot
Most laps led
DriverKevin HarvickStewart-Haas Racing
Laps68
Winner
No. 4Kevin HarvickStewart-Haas Racing
Television in the United States
NetworkNBC
AnnouncersRick Allen, Jeff Burton, Steve Letarte and Dale Earnhardt Jr.
Nielsen Ratings4.343 million[7]
Radio in the United States
RadioIndyCar Radio Network
Booth AnnouncersDoug Rice, Pat Patterson and Jeff Hammond
Turn AnnouncersMark Jaynes (1), Nick Yeoman (2), Jake Query (3) and Chris Denari (4)

The race was originally branded as the Big Machine Vodka 400 Powered by Florida Georgia Line, but was renamed due to Big Machine producing hand sanitizer in response to the COVID-19 Pandemic.[8]

This was the first NASCAR race without 4-time Brickyard 400 winner Jimmie Johnson since the 2001 New Hampshire 300.

Report

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Background

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Indianapolis Motor Speedway, the track where the race will be held.

The Indianapolis Motor Speedway, located in Speedway, Indiana, (an enclave suburb of Indianapolis) in the United States, is the home of the Indianapolis 500 and the Brickyard 400. It is located on the corner of 16th Street and Georgetown Road, approximately six miles (10 km) west of Downtown Indianapolis.

Constructed in 1909, it is the original speedway, the first racing facility so named. It has a permanent seating capacity estimated at 235,000 with infield seating raising capacity to an approximate 400,000. It is the highest-capacity sports venue in the world.

Considered relatively flat by American standards, the track is a 2.5-mile (4.0 km), nearly rectangular oval with dimensions that have remained essentially unchanged since its inception: four 0.25-mile (0.40 km) turns, two 0.625-mile long (1.006 km) straightaways between the fourth and first turns and the second and third turns, and two .125-mile (0.201 km) short straightaways – termed "short chutes" – between the first and second, and third and fourth turns.

Due to postponements stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2020 edition of the Brickyard 400 became part of a double-header weekend, as the IndyCar Series moved their GMR Grand Prix to July 4, the day before 400.[9] However, all races during the weekend were run with no fans in attendance.

In the lead up to the race, multi-time winner Jimmie Johnson announced he had tested positive for COVID-19 and was forced to withdraw. Justin Allgaier replaced Johnson for the weekend.[10]

Entry list

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  • (R) denotes rookie driver.
  • (i) denotes driver who are ineligible for series driver points.
No.DriverTeamManufacturer
00Quin Houff (R)StarCom RacingChevrolet
1Kurt BuschChip Ganassi RacingChevrolet
2Brad KeselowskiTeam PenskeFord
3Austin DillonRichard Childress RacingChevrolet
4Kevin HarvickStewart-Haas RacingFord
6Ryan NewmanRoush Fenway RacingFord
7Josh Bilicki (i)Tommy Baldwin RacingChevrolet
8Tyler Reddick (R)Richard Childress RacingChevrolet
9Chase ElliottHendrick MotorsportsChevrolet
10Aric AlmirolaStewart-Haas RacingFord
11Denny HamlinJoe Gibbs RacingToyota
12Ryan BlaneyTeam PenskeFord
13Ty DillonGermain RacingChevrolet
14Clint BowyerStewart-Haas RacingFord
15Brennan Poole (R)Premium MotorsportsChevrolet
17Chris BuescherRoush Fenway RacingFord
18Kyle BuschJoe Gibbs RacingToyota
19Martin Truex Jr.Joe Gibbs RacingToyota
20Erik JonesJoe Gibbs RacingToyota
21Matt DiBenedettoWood Brothers RacingFord
22Joey LoganoTeam PenskeFord
24William ByronHendrick MotorsportsChevrolet
27J. J. Yeley (i)Rick Ware RacingFord
32Corey LaJoieGo Fas RacingFord
34Michael McDowellFront Row MotorsportsFord
37Ryan PreeceJTG Daugherty RacingChevrolet
38John Hunter Nemechek (R)Front Row MotorsportsFord
41Cole Custer (R)Stewart-Haas RacingFord
42Matt KensethChip Ganassi RacingChevrolet
43Bubba WallaceRichard Petty MotorsportsChevrolet
47Ricky Stenhouse Jr.JTG Daugherty RacingChevrolet
48Justin Allgaier* (i)Hendrick MotorsportsChevrolet
51Joey Gase (i)Petty Ware RacingFord
53Garrett Smithley (i)Rick Ware RacingChevrolet
66Timmy Hill (i)MBM MotorsportsToyota
77Ross Chastain (i)Spire MotorsportsChevrolet
78B. J. McLeod (i)B. J. McLeod MotorsportsChevrolet
88Alex BowmanHendrick MotorsportsChevrolet
95Christopher Bell (R)Leavine Family RacingToyota
96Daniel SuárezGaunt Brothers RacingToyota
Official entry list
  • Allgaier replaced Jimmie Johnson after Johnson tested positive for COVID-19.

Qualifying

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Joey Logano was awarded the pole for the race as determined by a random draw.

Starting Lineup

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PosNo.DriverTeamManufacturer
122Joey LoganoTeam PenskeFord
21Kurt BuschChip Ganassi RacingChevrolet
388Alex BowmanHendrick MotorsportsChevrolet
448Justin Allgaier (i)Hendrick MotorsportsChevrolet
510Aric AlmirolaStewart-Haas RacingFord
611Denny HamlinJoe Gibbs RacingToyota
718Kyle BuschJoe Gibbs RacingToyota
819Martin Truex Jr.Joe Gibbs RacingToyota
92Brad KeselowskiTeam PenskeFord
109Chase ElliottHendrick MotorsportsChevrolet
114Kevin HarvickStewart-Haas RacingFord
1212Ryan BlaneyTeam PenskeFord
138Tyler Reddick (R)Richard Childress RacingChevrolet
146Ryan NewmanRoush Fenway RacingFord
1521Matt DiBenedettoWood Brothers RacingFord
163Austin DillonRichard Childress RacingChevrolet
1743Bubba WallaceRichard Petty MotorsportsChevrolet
1824William ByronHendrick MotorsportsChevrolet
1938John Hunter Nemechek (R)Front Row MotorsportsFord
2017Chris BuescherRoush Fenway RacingFord
2142Matt KensethChip Ganassi RacingChevrolet
2214Clint BowyerStewart-Haas RacingFord
2320Erik JonesJoe Gibbs RacingToyota
2447Ricky Stenhouse Jr.JTG Daugherty RacingChevrolet
2551Joey Gase (i)Petty Ware RacingFord
2615Brennan Poole (R)Premium MotorsportsChevrolet
2734Michael McDowellFront Row MotorsportsFord
2853Garrett Smithley (i)Rick Ware RacingChevrolet
2913Ty DillonGermain RacingChevrolet
3041Cole Custer (R)Stewart-Haas RacingFord
3132Corey LaJoieGo Fas RacingFord
3277Ross Chastain (i)Spire MotorsportsChevrolet
3300Quin Houff (R)StarCom RacingChevrolet
3427J. J. Yeley (i)Rick Ware RacingFord
3595Christopher Bell (R)Leavine Family RacingToyota
3637Ryan PreeceJTG Daugherty RacingChevrolet
3796Daniel SuárezGaunt Brothers RacingToyota
3866Timmy Hill (i)MBM MotorsportsToyota
397Josh Bilicki (i)Tommy Baldwin RacingChevrolet
4078B. J. McLeod (i)B. J. McLeod MotorsportsChevrolet
Official starting lineup

Race

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Kevin Harvick won the race.

Stage Results

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Stage OneLaps: 50

PosNoDriverTeamManufacturerPoints
124William ByronHendrick MotorsportsChevrolet10
220Erik JonesJoe Gibbs RacingToyota9
33Austin DillonRichard Childress RacingChevrolet8
49Chase ElliottHendrick MotorsportsChevrolet7
54Kevin HarvickStewart-Haas RacingFord6
611Denny HamlinJoe Gibbs RacingToyota5
721Matt DiBenedettoWood Brothers RacingFord4
818Kyle BuschJoe Gibbs RacingToyota3
92Brad KeselowskiTeam PenskeFord2
1014Clint BowyerStewart-Haas RacingFord1
Official stage one results

Stage TwoLaps: 50

PosNoDriverTeamManufacturerPoints
14Kevin HarvickStewart-Haas RacingFord10
29Chase ElliottHendrick MotorsportsChevrolet9
311Denny HamlinJoe Gibbs RacingToyota8
421Matt DiBenedettoWood Brothers RacingFord7
53Austin DillonRichard Childress RacingChevrolet6
642Matt KensethChip Ganassi RacingChevrolet5
718Kyle BuschJoe Gibbs RacingToyota4
81Kurt BuschChip Ganassi RacingChevrolet3
995Christopher Bell (R)Leavine Family RacingToyota2
1014Clint BowyerStewart-Haas RacingFord1
Official stage two results

Final Stage Results

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Stage ThreeLaps: 60

PosGridNoDriverTeamManufacturerLapsPoints
1114Kevin HarvickStewart-Haas RacingFord16156
22142Matt KensethChip Ganassi RacingChevrolet16140
3510Aric AlmirolaStewart-Haas RacingFord16134
492Brad KeselowskiTeam PenskeFord16135
53041Cole Custer (R)Stewart-Haas RacingFord16132
6718Kyle BuschJoe Gibbs RacingToyota16138
72734Michael McDowellFront Row MotorsportsFord16130
8138Tyler Reddick (R)Richard Childress RacingChevrolet16129
91743Bubba WallaceRichard Petty MotorsportsChevrolet16128
10122Joey LoganoTeam PenskeFord16127
11109Chase ElliottHendrick MotorsportsChevrolet16142
123595Christopher Bell (R)Leavine Family RacingToyota16127
1321Kurt BuschChip Ganassi RacingChevrolet16127
142913Ty DillonGermain RacingChevrolet16123
151938John Hunter Nemechek (R)Front Row MotorsportsFord16122
162214Clint BowyerStewart-Haas RacingFord16123
173277Ross Chastain (i)Spire MotorsportsChevrolet1610
18163Austin DillonRichard Childress RacingChevrolet16133
191521Matt DiBenedettoWood Brothers RacingFord16129
203796Daniel SuárezGaunt Brothers RacingToyota16017
213427J. J. Yeley (i)Rick Ware RacingFord1600
224078B. J. McLeod (i)B. J. McLeod MotorsportsChevrolet1600
233300Quin Houff (R)StarCom RacingChevrolet15914
242853Garrett Smithley (i)Rick Ware RacingChevrolet1590
25397Josh Bilicki (i)Tommy Baldwin RacingChevrolet1580
262551Joey Gase (i)Petty Ware RacingFord1570
271824William ByronHendrick MotorsportsChevrolet15620
28611Denny HamlinJoe Gibbs RacingToyota15322
293866Timmy Hill (i)MBM MotorsportsToyota1530
30388Alex BowmanHendrick MotorsportsChevrolet1327
312017Chris BuescherRoush Fenway RacingFord996
321212Ryan BlaneyTeam PenskeFord965
332320Erik JonesJoe Gibbs RacingToyota7313
34146Ryan NewmanRoush Fenway RacingFord603
352615Brennan Poole (R)Premium MotorsportsChevrolet242
362447Ricky Stenhouse Jr.JTG Daugherty RacingChevrolet201
37448Justin Allgaier (i)Hendrick MotorsportsChevrolet170
38819Martin Truex Jr.Joe Gibbs RacingToyota161
393132Corey LaJoieGo Fas RacingFord151
403637Ryan PreeceJTG Daugherty RacingChevrolet141
Official race results

Race statistics

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  • Lead changes: 11 among 9 different drivers
  • Cautions/Laps: 9 for 43
  • Red flags: 1 for 11 minutes and 17 seconds
  • Time of race: 3 hours, 16 minutes and 5 seconds
  • Average speed: 123.162 miles per hour (198.210 km/h)

Media

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Television

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NBC Sports covered the race on the television side. Rick Allen, Jeff Burton, Steve Letarte and Dale Earnhardt Jr. covered the race from the booth at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Marty Snider and Kelli Stavast handled the pit road duties on site. Rutledge Wood handled the features from the track.

NBC
Booth announcersPit reportersFeatures reporter
Lap-by-lap: Rick Allen
Color-commentator: Jeff Burton
Color-commentator: Steve Letarte
Color-commentator: Dale Earnhardt Jr.
Marty Snider
Kelli Stavast
Rutledge Wood

Radio

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Indianapolis Motor Speedway Radio Network and the Performance Racing Network jointly co-produced the radio broadcast for the race, which was simulcast on Sirius XM NASCAR Radio, and aired on IMS or PRN stations, depending on contractual obligations. The lead announcers and two pit reporters were PRN staff, while the turns announcers and one pit reporter were from IMS.

PRN/IMS Radio
Booth announcersTurn announcersPit reporters
Lead announcer: Doug Rice
Announcer: Pat Patterson
Announcer: Jeff Hammond
Turn 1: Mark Jaynes
Turn 2: Nick Yeoman
Turn 3: Jake Query
Turn 4: Chris Denari
Brad Gillie
Brett McMillan
Michael Young

Standings after the race

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References

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Previous race:
2020 Pocono 350
NASCAR Cup Series
2020 season
Next race:
2020 Quaker State 400