NASCAR returns to the Indianapolis area for one of the biggest racing weekends of the season, and with four national series taking on two historic tracks, it’s time to make some predictions. The weekend begins at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park, where the ARCA Menards Series and NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series will battle on the famed short track before the action shifts to Indianapolis Motor Speedway for the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series and NASCAR Cup Series. From the tight, aggressive racing expected at IRP to the high-speed challenge of the Brickyard 400, there are plenty of storylines and questions heading into the weekend. With that in mind, here are my picks and predictions for NASCAR’s Indianapolis weekend.
ARCA Menards Series – Liuna! 150 Presented by Ideal Garage Door
Prediction: Kayden Honeycutt
In just three career starts across the ARCA Menards Series and ARCA Menards Series West, Honeycutt has already recorded 2 wins, 1 pole position, 3 top-five finishes, and 3 top-ten finishes which is an impressive 100% top-five and top-ten rate. He also as one win in the national ARCA Menards Series which came this year at Watkins Glen. Mix those stats with a team that produces fast cars and a driver proven to be good at short track racing, Honeycutt will be the driver to beat.
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NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series – TSport 200 Presented by Warn Industries
Prediction: Ty Majeski
The 2024 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series champion has built a strong résumé in the series, earning 6 career wins, 28 top-five finishes, and 48 top-ten finishes during his full-time career driving for ThorSport Racing. However, his record at IRP is what makes him especially hard to pick against, with back to back wins in 2023 and 2024.
NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series – Pennzoil 250 Presented by Take 5 Oil Change
Prediction: Sam Mayer
Driving the No. 41 Chevrolet for Haas Factory Team, Mayer has had an impressive career with 170 career O’Reilly Series starts, earning 8 wins, 18 pole positions, and more than 68 top-five finishes. He also has proven that he can perform at the Brickyard, finishing second at Indianapolis last year. The team has put so much focus into this weekend already. They made sure the car was fast during qualifying two weeks ago at EchoPark Speedway to get a good pit selection for Indianapolis.
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Cup Series – Brickyard 400
Race Prediction: Denny Hamlin
In-Season Challenge Prediction: Ryan Blaney
While Hamlin has already won seven of NASCAR’s crown jewel races; three Daytona 500’s, three Southern 500’s, and one Coca-Cola 600. He is still missing one major accomplishment, a victory at the Brickyard. Hamlin does not yet have a career NASCAR Grand Slam, and a win at Indianapolis would complete the achievement. Although his best finish in the Brickyard 400 is currently third, I believe this could be the year he finally breaks through.
Hamlin has also been one of the strongest drivers throughout the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series season, earning four victories through the first 22 races.
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