Official Release

For the 20th race of the 2017 Cup Series season, Erik Jones will make his first-career start in the Brickyard 400 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway driving the No. 77 Sport Clips Toyota Camry. Jones has two starts in the NASCAR XFINITY Series at the historical track with an average start of 2.5 and an average finish of 28.0.

DARLINGTON, SOUTH CAROLINA (July 18, 2017) – Despite getting a late start due to inclement weather, Darlington Raceway’s Goodyear tire test was a success, featuring several of NASCAR’s top stars hitting the high banks at the track Too Tough To Tame.

Richard Childress Racing at Indianapolis Motor Speedway ... In 64 previous Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series starts at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Richard Childress Racing has posted two pole awards (Kevin Harvick in 2003 and Jeff Burton in 2006), three wins (Dale Earnhardt in 1995, Harvick in 2003 and Paul Menard in 2011), 11 top-five and 26 top-10 finishes. RCR Chevrolets have also been atop the leaderboard for a total of 268 laps and with the exception of one, each entry has been running at the finish of every event at the Brickyard, dating back to the inaugural race in 1994.

Ryan Reed has competed at Indianapolis Motor Speedway (IMS) three times in the NASCAR XFINITY Series. In his 2014 rookie season, Reed finished 20th after starting 13th and suffering a mechanical issue near the end of the race. In 2015, Reed finished 20th after starting 22nd, and last year Reed finished 13th, his best finish to date at the famed IMS.  

Bayne makes his seventh career Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series (MENCS) start at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Sunday afternoon. In six previous starts, Bayne recorded a best finish of 17th in the 2012 event.

Gallagher will make his first NASCAR XFINITY Series (NXS) start at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Gallagher and the No. 23 team will utilize chassis No. 216; this chassis has been used once this season by Gallagher at Pocono Raceway (Start: 14th/Finish: 18th).

“We have to win, so we have to gamble when we can. That (last weekend’s race at New Hampshire) is not the last time you’re going to see that kind of gamble from us before the playoffs. We’re going to Indy this weekend and that’s what we’re working on in the simulator this week. This is not a long-run sport anymore, so you have to have that early speed to be able to get anything done and get up through the field. You’re not going to get those long green-flag runs to take advantage of a long-run car.” Dale Earnhardt Jr. on No. 88 team strategy heading into Indianapolis

The Camping World Truck Series travels to Eldora Speedway this week for the Eldora Dirty Derby. Please check below for the complete schedule of events. All times are Eastern.

Sauter will pilot chassis no. 047 which he raced to a 13th-place finish at Eldora last year after starting from the 8th position. Sauter continues to lead the driver and owner championship point standings by 28 points after the 10th race of the season. He has one win and 10 playoff points.

Driver Quote: “I’m so excited to get behind the wheel of one of these Trucks,” said Abbey. “For my first start to come at Eldora, is even more special. I’ve grown up racing on dirt, and to do it on this stage is a huge deal. The whole team has been working hard, and I’ve gotten a little test-time under my belt, which will hopefully help with the learning curve. I can’t wait for the race.”