Race fans searching for what time is the Brickyard 400 can mark their calendars for a 2 p.m. ET green flag on Sunday, July 26, 2026, at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The NASCAR Cup Series event, one of the most anticipated stops on the circuit, brings the field back to the historic 2.5-mile oval for 160 laps and 400 miles of racing. With gates opening early and a full slate of pre-race festivities, fans planning to attend or tune in from home will want the complete rundown of timing, television coverage, and what to expect from this year’s edition.
Brickyard 400 Race Day Schedule
The Brickyard 400 has become a fixture on the NASCAR calendar, and this year’s event follows a familiar rhythm for race day. Gates at Indianapolis Motor Speedway open at 10 a.m. local time, giving fans several hours to explore the grounds, visit the Fan Midway, and soak in the pre-race atmosphere before the cars take to the track. The green flag is set to drop at 2 p.m. ET, with the race broadcast nationally and the venue expected to close its gates around 5:30 p.m. once the checkered flag falls.
Leading up to race day, the weekend followed its usual buildup. Cup Series practice took place on Friday, July 24, in the early afternoon, followed by qualifying on Saturday, July 25. Carson Hocevar claimed the pole position for this year’s race, marking his second pole of the 2026 season and his first at Indianapolis. He will be joined on the front rows by a competitive lineup that includes Daniel Suarez, Tyler Reddick, Ty Gibbs, and Denny Hamlin, setting up what many expect to be a tightly contested afternoon on the storied oval.
Weather is expected to cooperate for the most part, with forecasts calling for partly sunny skies and a high near 91 degrees in the Indianapolis area on race day. A light breeze out of the west is anticipated in the afternoon, conditions that should allow the event to run on schedule barring any unforeseen delays.
Where to Watch the Brickyard 400
For fans not attending in person, the 2026 Brickyard 400 will air on TNT, with additional coverage available on truTV for select sessions throughout the weekend. Streaming options include HBO Max, which carries the race live alongside an in-car driver camera feature for viewers who want a closer look at the on-track action. Cord-cutters also have the option of watching through DIRECTV or other streaming services that carry TNT Sports programming. On the audio side, the IMS Radio Network will provide booth and turn-by-turn commentary, with the broadcast also simulcast on SiriusXM NASCAR Radio for fans following along in their vehicles or away from a television.
Announcers Adam Alexander, Dale Earnhardt Jr., and Steve Letarte are expected to call the race from the booth, continuing their roles from recent broadcasts. The radio booth will feature Brad Gillie and Nick Yeoman, with a team of turn announcers stationed around the track to keep listeners updated on every pass and pit stop.
The Significance of the Brickyard 400
Indianapolis Motor Speedway holds a unique place in American motorsports history. Constructed in 1909, it remains the original speedway and the namesake for tracks around the world. While best known as the home of the Indianapolis 500, the venue has hosted the Brickyard 400 since NASCAR’s Cup Series first arrived at the track, and the race has grown into one of the sport’s crown jewel events. The rectangular 2.5-mile layout rewards straight-line speed and a driver’s patience navigating the flat, tight corners, making it a distinct challenge compared to the high-banked ovals more common on the schedule.
The race’s defining tradition, “kissing the bricks,” began after the event’s early years and has since become one of the most recognizable victory celebrations in racing. Winners and their teams kneel at the start-finish line, where a strip of the track’s original brick surface remains exposed, to kiss the pavement in celebration. It is a moment that has become as synonymous with Indianapolis as the checkered flag itself.
Only three drivers currently competing in the Cup Series have won at Indianapolis: Brad Keselowski, Kyle Larson, and Bubba Wallace. Wallace enters this year’s race as the defending champion after his 2025 victory, when he held off the field over 168 laps in an event that ran past its scheduled distance. That history adds an extra layer of intrigue to this year’s race, though the field remains wide open heading into Sunday’s green flag.
Drivers to Watch
While no single driver is being projected as a heavy favorite this year, several names stand out heading into the race based on recent form and season-long consistency. Denny Hamlin, Tyler Reddick, and Ryan Blaney have all been mentioned among the season’s strongest performers and will be worth watching once the green flag drops. Kyle Larson, one of the three active Indianapolis winners, also enters the weekend as a threat given his track record at the venue.
Pole-sitter Carson Hocevar will look to convert his qualifying speed into a strong result, though history at Indianapolis has shown that track position alone does not guarantee success over the course of 160 laps. Pit strategy, tire management, and late-race restarts have often played an outsized role in determining the winner at this particular track, and this year’s race is expected to follow that same pattern.
Ticket and Attendance Information
For fans planning to attend in person, general admission tickets for the Brickyard 400 have started at $40, with a range of seating and parking options available around the speedway grounds. Free parking has been available in designated lots near the track, and additional paid options exist closer to the main gate for those wanting more convenient access. The Fan Midway, located in the infield behind Tower Terrace, has offered autograph sessions and other fan-friendly activities throughout the weekend, giving attendees additional ways to engage with the sport beyond the race itself.
The Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum has also remained open to visitors during the event weekend, with hours running from morning through late afternoon each day. For many fans, a trip to the museum has become part of the full Brickyard 400 experience, offering a look at the track’s long history alongside the current racing action.
Final Thoughts
With a 2 p.m. ET start time on Sunday, July 26, 2026, the Brickyard 400 is set to deliver another chapter in one of NASCAR’s most storied events. Between the historic setting, a wide-open field, and the enduring tradition of kissing the bricks, this year’s race carries the same weight and excitement that has defined the event since NASCAR first came to Indianapolis. Whether watching from the stands or following the broadcast on TNT and HBO Max, fans have a clear picture of what time is the Brickyard 400 and what to expect once the green flag waves at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
Stay tuned for live updates and share your predictions for this year’s Brickyard 400 in the comments below.