Can Denny Hamlin Complete the NASCAR Career Crown Jewel at the Brickyard 400
The 2025 NASCAR Cup Series heads to the hallowed grounds of Indianapolis Motor Speedway on July 27, 2025. It is for the 29th running of the Brickyard 400. This race is a crown jewel event. It doubles as the championship round of the inaugural NASCAR In-Season Challenge. This 400-mile race on the 2.5-mile asphalt oval is steeped in history and prestige, second only to the Daytona 500 in NASCAR lore.
The purse is $11,055,250. There is a $1 million prize for the In-Season Challenge winner. The stakes are high as drivers vie to kiss the iconic yard of bricks. Below is a detailed preview. It covers the latest odds, race history, and favorites. It also includes longshots, the In-Season Challenge update, and Denny Hamlin’s quest to complete NASCAR’s Grand Slam.
Brickyard 400 Race Details
- Date and Time: Sunday, July 27, 2025, at 2:00 p.m. ET
- Track: Indianapolis Motor Speedway, 2.5-mile asphalt oval
- Distance: 400 miles (160 laps; Stage 1: Lap 50, Stage 2: Lap 100, Final Stage: Lap 160)
- Broadcast: TNT Sports (1:00 p.m. ET), IMS Radio, SiriusXM NASCAR (Channel 90)
Race History
Since its debut in 1994, the Brickyard 400 has been a cornerstone of NASCAR’s calendar. It draws massive crowds, with over 250,000 attending its inaugural event. It also offers one of the sport’s richest purses. The race was held on the IMS oval from 1994 to 2020. It was paused from 2021 to 2023 for the Verizon 200 on the road course.
The race then returned to the oval in 2024. Jeff Gordon holds the record with five victories, followed by Jimmie Johnson with four. Hendrick Motorsports dominates with 11 wins. This dominance showcases the track’s preference for top-tier teams. The track’s long straightaways and flat corners demand speed, precision, and tire management.
Recent races have seen dramatic finishes. Kyle Larson’s 2024 double-overtime victory was memorable. He overtook Tyler Reddick and Ryan Blaney in a chaotic finale. Only one driver, Paul Menard in 2011, has claimed their first Cup win here. This underscores the track’s tendency to favor experienced drivers and elite teams. The return to the oval in 2024 has revitalized the event. The Next Gen car’s improved oval performance contributes to this. It has become a proving ground for the sport’s best.
Latest Odds at MyBookie
- Denny Hamlin: +750
- Kyle Larson: +520
- Ryan Blaney: +900
- Tyler Reddick: +970
- Chase Elliott: +1450
- William Byron: +520
- Christopher Bell: +1175
- Chase Briscoe: +720
- Chris Buescher: +1325
- Ty Gibbs: +1600
- Brad Keselowski: +1675
- Joey Logano: +2600
- Carson Hocevar: +2700
- Bubba Wallace: +1425
- Alex Bowman: +3600
- Ross Chastain: +6600
- Kyle Busch: +2900
- Daniel Suarez: +22000
- Ty Dillon: +55000
- Katherine Legge: +100000
Note: Odds are subject to change post-qualifying and practice. Check with MyBookie for the latest.
Brickyard 400 Favorites
- Denny Hamlin (+750): Fresh off a Dover win, Hamlin is the favorite for good reason. His No. 11 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota was fastest in practice (182.038 mph) and has excelled on similar large ovals like Pocono. Hamlin’s seven Crown Jewel wins and series-leading four victories in 2025 make him a prime contender. His pursuit of the Grand Slam—winning the Daytona 500, Coca-Cola 600, Southern 500, and Brickyard 400—adds extra motivation. A Brickyard victory would make him the fifth driver to achieve this milestone. He would join Jeff Gordon, Jimmie Johnson, Kevin Harvick, and Dale Earnhardt.
- Kyle Larson (+520): The defending Brickyard 400 champion, Larson, won in 2024 by mastering overtime restarts. His No. 5 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet thrives on high-speed ovals. He has achieved 13 top-10 finishes this season. This includes a fourth place at Dover, signaling strong form. Larson’s adaptability and Hendrick’s IMS dominance (11 wins) make him a logical pick.
- Ryan Blaney (+900): Blaney’s third-place finish in 2024 and Team Penske’s consistent top-10s at IMS highlight his potential. Despite recent inconsistency, his speed on intermediate tracks makes him a threat.
- Tyler Reddick (+970): Reddick, the 2024 pole-sitter, led 40 laps last year and finished second. His 101.9 Driver Rating and 5.0 average finish at IMS are unmatched among active drivers, making him a strong contender to clinch a playoff spot.
- Chase Elliott (+1450): Leading the points standings, Elliott’s recent surge (top-6 in four of his last five starts) and top-11 finishes in his last three IMS starts make him a safe bet. Hendrick’s resources bolster his chances.
Longshots with a Chance
- Chase Briscoe (+720): An Indiana native, Briscoe won the pole for 2025 with a speed of 183.165 mph and has momentum from back-to-back second-place finishes at Sonoma and Dover. His Pocono win earlier this season gives him an advantage. His emotional connection to IMS could also propel him to a breakthrough victory. This would echo Tony Stewart’s hometown heroics.
- Joey Logano (+2600): A SportsLine model projects Logano as a value pick, citing his double-digit lap leadership in half his IMS starts and Team Penske’s strong track record. Recent top-15s add to his appeal.
- Ty Gibbs (+1600): Gibbs, in the In-Season Challenge final, has three straight top-10s and benefits from Joe Gibbs Racing’s IMS prowess. A first career win could come here.
- Ty Dillon (+55000): Despite long odds, Dillon’s Cinderella run in the In-Season Challenge and a 17.2 average finish at IMS (10th-best among active drivers) make him a sentimental pick for a massive upset.
In-Season Challenge Bracket Tournament Update
The inaugural NASCAR In-Season Challenge is a five-race bracket-style tournament. It culminates at the Brickyard 400 with a $1 million prize on the line. Unexpectedly, Ty Dillon (No. 10 Kaulig Racing Chevrolet, 32nd seed) faces Ty Gibbs (No. 54 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota) in the final. Dillon upset Denny Hamlin among others. He has defied expectations with two top-15s at IMS. Additionally, he secured a 2014 Xfinity Series win there. Gibbs, a rising star, leverages JGR’s superior equipment. The winner will be the higher-finishing driver in the Brickyard 400.
The tournament’s first round in Atlanta faced criticism for its randomness. Only one race winner advanced. This led to busted brackets and a perception of it as a “cute novelty” rather than a serious competition. However, it has spotlighted underdogs like Dillon, creating fresh storylines. Its success is debated. Some argue it lacks the gravitas of a strength-on-strength final. Others appreciate the exposure for lesser-known drivers.
Denny Hamlin’s Grand Slam (Crown Jewel) Quest
Denny Hamlin stands on the cusp of NASCAR immortality. With wins in the Daytona 500, Coca-Cola 600, and Southern 500, a Brickyard 400 victory would complete the Grand Slam. This would join an elite group of four drivers. Hamlin has come close at IMS, with a 2019 win and multiple top-10s, but the Brickyard remains his missing jewel. He recently secured four wins in 2025. He led a series-best 700+ laps and had a strong showing at Pocono. This positions him as the driver to beat. At 44, with only a few prime years left, the pressure is on to seize this moment.
Nine drivers have achieved a Grand Slam in NASCAR. These drivers include Jeff Gordon, Bobby Allison, and Jimmie Johnson. This achievement typically encompasses the Daytona 500, Coca-Cola 600, and Southern 500. The Brickyard 400 is recognized as a Crown Jewel. The Winston 500 at Talladega has been excluded in modern discussions. Some believe the Bristol Night Race should also be considered a Crown Jewel event.
Predictions
The Brickyard 400’s history favors elite teams, and 2025 should be no different. Hamlin’s form and hunger for the Grand Slam make him the top pick. However, Larson’s defending status could steal the show. Briscoe’s hometown motivation is also a significant factor. For the In-Season Challenge, Gibbs’ equipment edge likely trumps Dillon’s fairy-tale run. Expect a race defined by strategy, tire management, and late-race chaos, with the winner etching their name into IMS history.
For betting, Hamlin and Larson are safe, while Briscoe and Logano offer value. Prop bets like Bell for a top-5 (+160) or Reddick for most laps led could yield returns.
Odds to Win the NASCAR Brickyard 400
Sources: The Athletic, Jayski’s NASCAR Silly Season Site, CBSSports.com, NASCAR.com, BetMGM, DraftKings, MyBookie.ag
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