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INDIANAPOLIS - Brickyard Weekend arrives at a pivotal time for Trackhouse Racing.
Ross Chastain is searching for a rebound after a difficult outing at North Wilkesboro. Connor Zilisch returns to one of his most successful tracks as he celebrates his 20th birthday week. Shane van Gisbergen arrives with momentum from the best oval-track run of his NASCAR Cup Series career.
Together, the three drivers head to Indianapolis Motor Speedway carrying optimism that NASCAR’s return to one of its crown-jewel events could provide another breakthrough moment for the growing organization.
For Chastain, Indianapolis represents another opportunity to add one of NASCAR’s most prestigious trophies to his résumé.
The Trackhouse veteran participated in a Goodyear tire test at Indianapolis earlier this summer and believes the extra track time should help, even if evolving conditions mean the notes gathered during testing have limitations.
“Tire testing there last month got me reacclimated with the track a bit, but it changes every day with the different weather,” Chastain said. “I enjoy the oval and that’s what everyone knows the Brickyard as.”
The importance of Indianapolis isn’t lost on Chastain.
“It is a crown jewel after all,” he said. “It’s such a unique track when you drive through the tunnel.”
Chastain will also pull double duty this weekend. In addition to Sunday’s Brickyard 400, he will compete in Saturday’s NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series race for JR Motorsports, where he already owns a victory this season at Charlotte Motor Speedway.
Meanwhile, Zilisch returns to Indianapolis with fond memories.
One year ago, the young driver delivered JR Motorsports’ landmark 100th victory in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series at the Brickyard. This weekend marks his first NASCAR Cup Series start on Indianapolis’ historic 2.5-mile oval, and he believes the venue could provide the strong finish he’s been seeking.
“I’m excited for it,” Zilisch said. “I’ve always enjoyed racing at the Brickyard and being at one of our most historic tracks in the country.”
The timing feels fitting.
Zilisch turns 20 years old this week but remains the youngest full-time driver competing at NASCAR’s highest level.
“I feel like Indy is one of my better tracks,” he said. “I ran well at Indianapolis last year and I enjoyed it, so I hope that translates to Sunday.”
Few venues leave a stronger impression on young drivers than Indianapolis, and Zilisch still remembers his first laps there.
“Being able to drive across the yard of bricks and experience that for the first time was one of the coolest things I’ve experienced as a race car driver,” he said.
While Zilisch seeks his first Indianapolis Cup start, van Gisbergen enters the weekend carrying newfound confidence on oval tracks.
Fresh off a fifth-place finish at North Wilkesboro Speedway, the New Zealander matched the best oval result of his Cup Series career while leading 49 laps. The result continued a recent stretch of consistency that has strengthened his playoff position and highlighted progress on NASCAR’s traditional circuits.
“It was my strongest oval performance so far,” van Gisbergen said after North Wilkesboro.
The two-time Cup winner enters Indianapolis 14th in the standings and 54 points above the playoff cutline.
Indianapolis presents a new challenge. While van Gisbergen has earned a reputation as one of NASCAR’s premier road-course racers, he understands success at the Brickyard begins long before Sunday.
“It’s tough,” van Gisbergen said. “You have to qualify well. It’s nearly impossible to pass there.”
Track position, he believes, will determine everything.
“We just need to get up front and stay there all day.”
The Indianapolis weekend also showcases two significant Trackhouse partnerships.
Busch Light returns with Chastain and the No. 1 Chevrolet carrying its familiar blue-and-white branding and “Race for the Mountains” campaign, continuing one of NASCAR’s most recognizable sponsorship programs.
Meanwhile, Red Bull has launched a special NASCAR-themed energy drink can featuring Zilisch and van Gisbergen. The limited-edition release marks Red Bull’s first NASCAR-inspired can design in 15 years and is available exclusively through Circle K locations.
