The NASCAR Cup Series season moves to a crown jewel event, the Brickyard 400 on July 26 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
The in-season challenge final also takes place at IMS, with Ryan Blaney against Todd Gilliland. Blaney has shown good speed at IMS since the series’ return to the 2.5-mile track, but Gilliland has finished sixth in back-to-back Indy races.
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Bubba Wallace is the defending race winner.
Here are The Tennessean’s expert picks for Sunday’s NASCAR Cup Series race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway:
NEXT YEAR: NASCAR moves 2027 Clash back to Daytona, per report
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Ryan Blaney, NASCAR driver, champion with mustache for Team Penske
HAMPTON, GEORGIA – JULY 12: Ryan Blaney, driver of the #12 BODYARMOR FLASH I.V. Ford, celebrates after winning the NASCAR Cup Series Quaker State 400 Available at Walmart at EchoPark Speedway on July 12, 2026 in Hampton, Georgia. (Photo by Meg Oliphant/Getty Images)
(Meg Oliphant, Getty Images)
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Ryan Blaney, NASCAR driver, champion with mustache for Team Penske
HAMPTON, GEORGIA – JULY 12: Ryan Blaney, driver of the #12 BODYARMOR FLASH I.V. Ford, celebrates after winning the NASCAR Cup Series Quaker State 400 Available at Walmart at EchoPark Speedway on July 12, 2026 in Hampton, Georgia. (Photo by Meg Oliphant/Getty Images)
(Meg Oliphant, Getty Images)
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Ryan Blaney, NASCAR driver, champion with mustache for Team Penske
AVONDALE, ARIZONA – MARCH 08: Ryan Blaney, driver of the #12 Dent Wizard Ford, celebrates in victory lane after winning the NASCAR Cup Series Straight Talk Wireless 500 at Phoenix Raceway on March 08, 2026 in Avondale, Arizona. (Photo by Meg Oliphant/Getty Images)
(Meg Oliphant, Getty Images)
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Ryan Blaney, NASCAR driver, champion with mustache for Team Penske
LOUDON, NEW HAMPSHIRE – SEPTEMBER 21: Ryan Blaney, driver of the #12 Menards/Libman Ford, celebrates in victory lane after winning the NASCAR Cup Series Mobil 1 301 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway on September 21, 2025 in Loudon, New Hampshire. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)
(Sean Gardner, Getty Images)
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Ryan Blaney, NASCAR driver, champion with mustache for Team Penske
LOUDON, NEW HAMPSHIRE – SEPTEMBER 21: Ryan Blaney, driver of the #12 Menards/Libman Ford, poses with Loudon the Lobster in victory lane after winning the the NASCAR Cup Series Mobil 1 301 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway on September 21, 2025 in Loudon, New Hampshire. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)
(Sean Gardner, Getty Images)
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Ryan Blaney, NASCAR driver, champion with mustache for Team Penske
LOUDON, NEW HAMPSHIRE – SEPTEMBER 21: Ryan Blaney, driver of the #12 Menards/Libman Ford, celebrates after winning the NASCAR Cup Series Mobil 1 301 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway on September 21, 2025 in Loudon, New Hampshire. (Photo by Meg Oliphant/Getty Images)
(Meg Oliphant, Getty Images)
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Ryan Blaney, NASCAR driver, champion with mustache for Team Penske
Ryan Blaney climbs out of his No. 12 Penske Ford in Victory Lane, Saturday night, Aug. 23, 2025, after winning the Coke Zero Sugar 400 at Daytona International Speedway. For complete coverage of the race, go to www.news-journalonline.com.
(David TuckerNews-Journal)
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Ryan Blaney, NASCAR driver, champion with mustache for Team Penske
Aug 23, 2025; Daytona Beach, Florida, USA; NASCAR Cup Series driver Ryan Blaney (12) takes the checker flag to win the Coke Zero Sugar 400 at Daytona International Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Mike Watters-Imagn Images
(Mike Watters, Mike Watters-Imagn Images)
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Ryan Blaney, NASCAR driver, champion with mustache for Team Penske
Ryan Blaney celebrates winning the Cracker Barrel 400 at Nashville Superspeedway in Lebanon, Tennessee, on June 1, 2025.
(Andrew Nelles, The Tennessean)
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Ryan Blaney, NASCAR driver, champion with mustache for Team Penske
NASCAR Cup Series driver Ryan Blaney (12) heads into the stands to give away the checkered flag after winning the Cracker Barrel 400 NASCAR Cup Series race at Nashville Superspeedway in Lebanon, Tenn., Sunday, June 1, 2025.
(Denny Simmons / The Tennessean)
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Ryan Blaney, NASCAR driver, champion with mustache for Team Penske
NASCAR Cup Series driver Ryan Blaney (12) burns rubber near the finish line after winning the Cracker Barrel 400 NASCAR Cup Series race at Nashville Superspeedway in Lebanon, Tenn., Sunday, June 1, 2025.
(Denny Simmons / The Tennessean)
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Ryan Blaney, NASCAR driver, champion with mustache for Team Penske
NASCAR Cup Series driver Ryan Blaney celebrates winning the Cracker Barrel 400 at Nashville Superspeedway in Lebanon, Tenn., Sunday, June 1, 2025.
(Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean, Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)
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Ryan Blaney, NASCAR driver, champion with mustache for Team Penske
TALLADEGA, ALABAMA – APRIL 27: Ryan Blaney, driver of the #12 Advance Auto Parts Ford, signs an autograph for a NASCAR fan prior to the NASCAR Cup Series Jack Link’s 500 at Talladega Superspeedway on April 27, 2025 in Talladega, Alabama. (Photo by Logan Riely/Getty Images)
(Logan Riely, Getty Images)
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Ryan Blaney, NASCAR driver, champion with mustache for Team Penske
Mar 8, 2025; Avondale, AZ, USA; NASCAR Cup Series driver Ryan Blaney (12) during qualifying for the Shrines Children’s 500 at Phoenix Raceway. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images
(Gary A. Vasquez, Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images)
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Ryan Blaney, NASCAR driver, champion with mustache for Team Penske
DAYTONA BEACH, FLORIDA – FEBRUARY 12: Ryan Blaney, driver of the #12 Menards/Peak Ford speaks to the media during Media Day for the NASCAR Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway on February 12, 2025 in Daytona Beach, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
(Mike Ehrmann, Getty Images)
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Ryan Blaney, NASCAR driver, champion with mustache for Team Penske
WINSTON SALEM, NORTH CAROLINA – FEBRUARY 01: Ryan Blaney, driver of the #12 Menards/Great Lakes Flooring Ford spins after an on-track incident during qualifying heat #1 for the Cook Out Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium on February 01, 2025 in Winston Salem, North Carolina. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)
(Sean Gardner, Getty Images)
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Ryan Blaney, NASCAR driver, champion with mustache for Team Penske
Nov 22, 2024; Charlotte, NC, USA; NASCAR Cup Series driver Ryan Blaney (12) and his fiancŽ Gianna Tulio during the NASCAR Awards Banquet at Charlotte Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images
(Jim Dedmon, Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images)
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Ryan Blaney, NASCAR driver, champion with mustache for Team Penske
AVONDALE, ARIZONA – NOVEMBER 10: Ryan Blaney, driver of the #12 Menards/RichmondWaterHeater Ford, reacts after the NASCAR Cup Series Championship Race at Phoenix Raceway on November 10, 2024 in Avondale, Arizona. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)
(Getty Images)
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Ryan Blaney, NASCAR driver, champion with mustache for Team Penske
MARTINSVILLE, VIRGINIA – NOVEMBER 03: Ryan Blaney, driver of the #12 Discount Tire Ford, celebrates in victory lane after winning the NASCAR Cup Series Xfinity 500 at Martinsville Speedway on November 03, 2024 in Martinsville, Virginia. (Photo by David Jensen/Getty Images)
(Getty Images)
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Ryan Blaney, NASCAR driver, champion with mustache for Team Penske
Nov 3, 2024; Martinsville, Virginia, USA; NASCAR Cup Series driver Ryan Blaney (12) wins the Xfinity 500 at Martinsville Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images
(Jim Dedmon, Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images)
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Ryan Blaney, NASCAR driver, champion with mustache for Team Penske
NASCAR Cup Series driver Ryan Blaney (12) wins the inaugural Iowa Corn 350 on Sunday, June 16, 2024, at Iowa Speedway in Newton.
(Cody Scanlan/The Register)
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Ryan Blaney, NASCAR driver, champion with mustache for Team Penske
NASCAR Cup Series driver Ryan Blaney (12) wins the inaugural Iowa Corn 350 on Sunday, June 16, 2024, at Iowa Speedway in Newton.
(Cody Scanlan/The Register)
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Ryan Blaney, NASCAR driver, champion with mustache for Team Penske
Mar 31, 2024; Richmond, Virginia, USA; NASCAR Cup Series driver Ryan Blaney (12) makes a pit stop during the Toyota Owners 400 at Richmond Raceway. Mandatory Credit: Peter Casey-USA TODAY Sports
(Peter Casey, Peter Casey-USA TODAY Sports)
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Ryan Blaney, NASCAR driver, champion with mustache for Team Penske
Feb 15, 2024; Daytona Beach, Florida, USA; NASCAR Cup Series driver Ryan Blaney (12) catches on fire after wrecking during the Bluegreen Vacations Duel at Daytona International Speedway. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports
(John David Mercer, John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports)
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Ryan Blaney, NASCAR driver, champion with mustache for Team Penske
Ryan Blaney and Gianna Tulio poses on the red carpet for the 2023 NASCAR Awards Banquet at the Music City Center in Nashville, Tenn., Thursday, Nov. 30, 2023.
(Stephanie Amador / The Tennessean)
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Ryan Blaney, NASCAR driver, champion with mustache for Team Penske
2023 NASCAR Points Champion Ryan Blaney (12) signs autographs during the NASCAR Champions Car Parade in Nashville, Tenn., Wednesday, Nov. 29, 2023.
(Denny Simmons / The Tennessean)
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Ryan Blaney, NASCAR driver, champion with mustache for Team Penske
NASCAR Cup Series driver Ryan Blaney (12) celebrates winning the Cup Series Championship at Phoenix Raceway in Avondale on Nov. 5, 2023.
(Alex Gould/Special for The Republic, Alex Gould/Special for The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK)
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Ryan Blaney, NASCAR driver, champion with mustache for Team Penske
Oct. 29: Ryan Blaney celebrates after winning the Xfinity 500 at Martinsville Speedway.
(David Yeazell, USA TODAY Sports)
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Ryan Blaney, NASCAR driver, champion with mustache for Team Penske
Oct 1, 2023; Talladega, Alabama, USA; NASCAR Cup Series driver Ryan Blaney (12) cheers the crowd after his victory at the 2023 YellaWood 500 at Talladega Superspeedway. Mandatory Credit: Vasha Hunt-USA TODAY Sports
(Vasha Hunt, Vasha Hunt-USA TODAY Sports)
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Ryan Blaney, NASCAR driver, champion with mustache for Team Penske
May 29: Ryan Blaney, center, celebrates winning the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway.
(Jim Dedmon, USA TODAY Sports)
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Ryan Blaney, NASCAR driver, champion with mustache for Team Penske
Ryan Blaney does a little social media befor the final Nascar cup series practice, Saturday morning February 18, 2023 at Daytona International Speedway.
(David TuckerNews Journal)
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Ryan Blaney, NASCAR driver, champion with mustache for Team Penske
Ryan Blaney celebrates after winning the FireKeepers Casino 400 Sunday at Michigan International Speedway.
(Mike Dinovo, USA TODAY Sports)
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Ryan Blaney, NASCAR driver, champion with mustache for Team Penske
NASCAR Cup Series driver Ryan Blaney (12) is towed off the track after a crash during the Ally 400 NASCAR Cup Series race at the Nashville Superspeedway in Lebanon, Tenn., Sunday, June 20, 2021.
(Stephanie Amador / Tennessean.com)
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Ryan Blaney, NASCAR driver, champion with mustache for Team Penske
Feb 12, 2020; Daytona, FL, USA; NASCAR Cup Series driver Ryan Blaney (12) addresses the media during NASCAR Media Day at the Daytona 500 Club.. Mandatory Credit: Mike Dinovo-USA TODAY Sports ORG XMIT: USATSI-425824 ORIG FILE ID: 20200212_jdm_ad4_062.jpg
(Mike Dinovo-USA TODAY Sports)
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Ryan Blaney, NASCAR driver, champion with mustache for Team Penske
Cole Swindell and Ryan Blaney walk the red carpet before the 2019 NASCAR Cup Series Awards at Music City Center Thursday, Dec. 5, 2019 in Nashville, Tenn.
(Larry McCormack / Tennessean.com)
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Ryan Blaney, NASCAR driver, champion with mustache for Team Penske
Ryan Blaney waves to the crowd during the NASCAR Burnouts on Broadway event in downtown Nashville, Tenn., Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2019.
(Andrew Nelles / Tennessean.com)
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Ryan Blaney, NASCAR driver, champion with mustache for Team Penske
Ryan Blaney beat Ryan Newman Monday at Talladega Superspeedway in a door-to-door race to the finish line. The 0.0070-second margin of victory was the sixth-closest in the history of Talladega. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
(Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports)
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Ryan Blaney, NASCAR driver, champion with mustache for Team Penske
Ryan Blaney, right, celebrates after winning the 2019 playoff race at Talladega Superspeedway.
(Jasen Vinlove, USA TODAY Sports)
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Ryan Blaney, NASCAR driver, champion with mustache for Team Penske
Ryan Blaney has momentum on his side, coming off a victory in Charloote on Sunday. It was only the young driver’s second Cup victory of 2018 as he won Duel #1 at Daytona Speedway back in February.
(Jason Minto/The News Journal)
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Ryan Blaney, NASCAR driver, champion with mustache for Team Penske
Ryan Blaney celebrates after winning the Bank of America Roval 400 at Charlotte Motor Speedway.
(Jasen Vinlove, -USA TODAY Sports)
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Ryan Blaney, NASCAR driver, champion with mustache for Team Penske
From left, NASCAR drivers Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Ryan Blaney watch Driven2SaveLives BC39 hot laps from atop a hauler at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, for the USAC P1 Insurance Midget National Championship, Thursday, Sept. 6, 2018.
(Jenna Watson/IndyStar)
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Ryan Blaney, NASCAR driver, champion with mustache for Team Penske
Ryan Blaney, center, celebrates his victory at Pocono Raceway on June 11, 2017.
(Matthew O’Haren, USA TODAY Sports)
NASCAR predictions for Indianapolis Cup Series race: Here’s who wins the Brickyard 400
Mike Organ’s pick: Christopher Bell, No. 20 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota
Bell has been on the cusp of winning all season, but his wrist injury and other factors have kept him from it. He’s been second in four of the last nine races and five total. He finally gets over the hump at Indy where his average finish is eight.
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Nick Gray’s pick: Chase Elliott, No. 9 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet
Chase Elliott has been giving up points the last six weeks, sometimes through no fault of his own. (See: North Wilkesboro.) And how is it that Elliott has never won a crown jewel race? That changes this weekend.
Tom Kreager’s pick: Ryan Blaney, No. 12 Team Penske Ford
Blaney may be the only NASCAR Cup driver that can keep a Toyota from winning this year’s championship. He’s been fast enough to compete with Denny Hamlin in other races. This is another week to close the gap in the standings.
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: NASCAR Indianapolis predictions 2026, expert picks for Brickyard 400 Cup race
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